Having
arrived some seven minutes before the starting of the train, and, by
the connivance of the guard, taken sole possession of an empty
compartment, I lighted my travelling-lamp, made myself particularly
snug, and settled down to the undisturbed enjoyment of a book and a
cigar. Great, therefore, was my disappointment when, at the last moment,
a gentleman came hurrying along the platform, glanced into my carriage,
opened the locked door with a private key, and stepped in.
It struck me at the first glance that I had seen him before,--a tall,
spare man, thin-lipped, light-eyed, with an ungraceful stoop in the
shoulders, and scant gray hair worn somewhat long upon the collar. He
carried a light water-proof coat, an umbrella, and a large brown
japanned deed-box, which last he placed under the seat. This done, he
felt carefully in his breast-pocket, as if to make certain of the safety
of his purse or pocket-book; laid his umbrella in the netting overhead;
spread the water-proof across his knees; and exchanged his hat for a
travelling-cap of some Scotch material.
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