"No, there was another man."

"Younger than you?"

"Yes."

"How old was she?"

"Eighteen."

"A girl, then."

"Yes, if you put it that way. She was all I had."

"Have you seen her since?"

"No, and I don't want to."

These questions and answers had followed in rapid
succession, Felix searching for the truth and the man
trying to give it as best he could.

With the last answer the man drew a step nearer
and, in a voice which was fast getting beyond his control,
said: "You know now, don't you? You can see
it plain as day how long it takes to make a bum of a
man when he's up agin things like that. You--" He
paused, listened intently, and sprang back, hugging the
wall. "What's that? Somebody comin'! My God!