Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-02-02
CHAPTER ".

slowed away in the shadow OF the law
courts as any grave under country
church wall Y IS as green OF grass.
Rs gray Of stone. as irresponsive TO the
passing footstep.
Facing the rallied in grass plot OF It's
little court stood the house 10 which
John LOder had his rooms Taken at
first glance the house bad the desert
cd air OF an Office. Inhabited only In
the early hours. but as night fell lights
would be seen 70 show out. first on one
floor. then on another-faint. human
beacons unconsciously signaling each
other. The rooms Loder inhabited
were on the highest floor. and from
their windows one might gaze phllo-
sophlcally on the treetops. forgetting
the uneven pavement and the worn
railing that hemmed them around. In
the landing outside the rooms his name
appeared above his door. but the paint
had been sOiled by time and the letters
FOR the most part reduced to shadows.
so that, taken In conjunction with The
gaunt staircase and bare walls. the
place had a cherries look.
Inside. however the effect was some
what mitigated. The room on the right
hand as one entered the small passage
that served as hall was OF fair size
though low ceiled. The paint OF the
wall paneling. like the name above the
outer door. had long ago been worn 10
q dirty and nondescript hue. and the
floor was Innocent OF carpet. Yet In
the middle OF the room stood ine old
Cromwell table. and on the plain deal
bookshelves and along the mantel-
piece were some valuable books-poilt-
ical and historical There were no cur
tains 90 the windows and common
reading lamp with n green shade stood
on a desk. IL was the room OF q man
with few hobbies and no pleasures.
who existed because be was alive and
worked because he must.
Three nights after the great fog John
Loder sat by his desk In the light OF
the green shaded lamp. The remains
OF very frugal supper stood on the
center table. and ln the CRATE a small
and economical looking fire was burn
ing.
Having written Tor close on two
hours. he pushed back bis chair and
stretched his cramped fingers. Then
he yawned. rose and slowly walked
across the room. Reaching the mantel-
piece he took n pipe from the pipe rack
and some tobacco from the jar that
stood behind the books. Ills face
looked tired and a little worn. az is
common with men who have worked
long at an uucOngenial task. Shreddip,,
the tobacco between his hands he
slowly iiled the pipe, then lighted Il
from the FIRE with a spin OF twisted
paper
Almost at the moment that he ap-
piled the light the sound OF stems
mounting the uncarpeted stairs outside
caught his attention and he raised his
head 10 listen.
Presently the steps halted and he
heard a match struck. The stranger
was evidently uncertain Of his where
abouts. Then the steps moved forward
again and paused.
An expression OF surprise crossed
Loder's face and be laid down his pipe
As the visitor knocked De walked
quietly across the room and opened the ,
door
The passage outside was dark and P
the newcomer drew back before the
light from the room
Mr.. I.oderf"- he began lnterroga-
lively. Then All NJ once he laughed in
embarrassed apology. Forgive me-"
he said. "The Hight rather dazzled me.
I didn't realize who IL was"
Loder recognized the voice as belong /
ing 20 his acquaintance Of the fog.
''Oh. its you" be said Won't you
come IN ~" His voice was a little cold.
This sudden resurrection left him sur
prised. and not quite pleasantly sur
prised. He walked back 20 The fire
place, followed by his guest
The guest seemed nervous and agi-
tated. Il must apologize for the hour
OF my visit" he said "My-my time IS
not quite my own"
Loder waved his hand. Whose dine ?
Is his OWN be said.
Chiicote. encouraged by the remark.
drew nearer 20 the fire Until this mo
ment be had RETAINED frcm looking d.
rectly AT his host. Now. however he
raised his eyes. and. despite his prepa- /
ration. he recoiled unavoiGably before |
the extraordinary resemblance. Seen
here. IN the casual surroundings OF a
badly furnished and crudely lighted i
room, II was even more astounding /
than 1t had been in the mystery OF the /
fog.
Forgive me-" he said again "It Is =
physical. purely physical / am bowled ]
over against my viii"
Loder smiled. The slight contempt /
that Chilcote had first inspired rose |
again. and with it second feeling less
easily defined. The man seemed so I'M
stable so incapable. yet so grotesquely |
suggestive TO himself.
The likeness is rather overwhelm- !
ing" he said. but not heavy enough to |
sink under. Come nearer the fire. What /
brought you here? CuriosiyY' There /
was wooden armchair by the fire.
place. He Indicated IL with q wave Of /
the hand. then turned and took up his
smoldering pipe.
Chilcote. watching him furtively. |
Obeyed the gesture and sat down.
1T Is extraordinary he said. as IL |
unable TO dismiss the subject "It-If