narrative

mr. alexander bonaparte cust rose from his seat and peered near—sightedly round the shabby bedroom. his back was stiff from sitting in a cramped position and as he stretched himself to his full height an on—looker would have realized that he was, in reality, quite a tall man. his stoop and his near—sighted peering gave a delusive impression.

going to a well—worn overcoat hanging on the back of the door, he took from the pocket a packet of cheap cigarettes and some matches. he lit a cigarette and then returned to the table at which he had been sitting. he picked up a railway guide and consulted it, then he returned to the consideration of a typewritten list of names. with a pen, he made a tick against one of the first names on the list.

it was thursday, june 20th.