I had got down too far below the surface, and had the naked feeling you get in a dream when you think you have gone to the theatre in your nightgown.

I had had three names in two days, and as many characters.

I felt as if I had no home or position anywhere, and was only a stray dog with everybody's hand and foot against me.

It was an ugly sensation, and it was not redeemed by any acute fear or any knowledge of being mixed up in some desperate drama.

I knew I could easily go on to Edinburgh, and when the police made trouble, as they would, a wire to Scotland Yard would settle matters in a couple of hours.