Since our joint visit I had once or
twice passed through the street by myself, and on the last occasion
had again seen the raising of the blind. It obsessed him--the
desire to meet the man face to face. A handsome, bold, masterful
man, he conceived him. But there must be something more for such a
woman to have sold her soul--almost, one might say--for the sake of
him.
There was just one chance of succeeding. Each time he had come from
the direction of the Edgware Road. By keeping well out of sight at
the other end of the street, and watching till he entered it, one
might time oneself to come upon him just under the lamp. He would
hardly be likely to turn and go back; that would be to give himself
away. He would probably content himself with pretending to be like
ourselves, merely hurrying through, and in his turn watching till we
had disappeared.
Fortune seemed inclined to favour us. About the usual time the
blind was gently raised, and very soon afterwards there came round
the corner the figure of a man. We entered the street ourselves a
few seconds later, and it seemed likely that, as we had planned, we
should come face to face with him under the gaslight. He walked
towards us, stooping and with bent head. We expected him to pass
the house by.
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