Andthenhetraversedtheroomlikeahoundonthescent, skimmingthewalls, consideringthecornersofthebulgingmattingonhishandsandknees, rummagingmantelandtables, thecurtainsandhangings, thedrunkencabinetinthecorner, foravisiblesign, unabletoperceivethatshewastherebeside, around, against, within, abovehim, clingingtohim, wooinghim, , "Yes, dear!" andturned, wild-eyed, togazeonvacancy, , God!whencethatodour, andsincewhenhaveodourshadavoicetocall?Thushegroped.
Heburrowedincrevicesandcorners, -smokedcigar, ;butofherwhomhesought, andwhomayhavelodgedthere, andwhosespiritseemedtohoverthere, hefoundnotrace.
Andthenhethoughtofthehousekeeper.
.
"Willyoutellme, madam," hebesoughther, "whooccupiedtheroomIhavebeforeIcame?"
"Yes, , 'rettaSprowlsitwasinthetheatres, , framed, onanailover—"
"WhatkindofaladywasMissSprowls—inlooks, Imean?"
"Why, black-haired, sir, short, andstout, ."
"Andbeforetheyoccupiedit?"
"Why, , thatstayedfourmonths;, , sir, andfurtherIdonotremember."
, staleodourofmouldyhousefurniture, ofatmosphereinstorage.
, , turnedthegasfullonagainandlaidhimselfgratefullyuponthebed.
'.
"Irentedoutmythirdfloor, back, thisevening," , acrossafinecircleoffoam."."
"Now, didye, , ma'am?" , withintenseadmiration."Youdobeawonderforrentin', then?" sheconcludedinahuskywhisper, ladenwithmystery.
"Rooms," , inherfurriesttones, ", ."
"Thisrightyeare, ma'am;, ma'."
"Asyousay, wehasourlivingtobemaking," .
"Yis, ma'am;that', —aswatelittlefaceshehad, , ma'am."
"She'da-beencalledhandsome, asyousay," , assentingbutcritical, ", ."
