It was just before his dinner hour, and he may have been hungry.

On resuming his way, he looked up and found the dead overseer beside him.

He had no sense of surprise, and walked for some distance, conversing on ordinary topics with the appearance.

He happened to notice such a minute detail as that the spectre's boots were laced in an unusual way.

At a crossing, something in the street attracted his attention; he looked away from his companion, and, on turning to resume their talk, saw no more of him.