He looked around with keen, searching eyes, scanning every nook and corner in the bare little room.

Truly, there was not much to see.

The old fireplace had been blocked up, and in its place was the usual iron cooking-stove, with a meagre array of pots and pans hanging behind it.

The floor was bare; the furniture, a table and chair, with a stool for John.

There was no provision for guests; but that did not matter, as Mr.Scraper never had guests.