Then he looked around him, for the first time forming some idea of his surroundings.

He was in a very charming, comfortable-looking apartment, with deep easy-chairs, a divan covered with luxurious cushions, numbers of little tables covered with photographs and flowers, a great bowl of hot-house roses, and an oak cabinet with an oak background in the further corner of the room, which was packed with curios.

After his first brief inspection, however, he felt scarcely any curiosity as to the contents of the room.

It was the window which drew him always towards It.

Once more he peered through the chink of the curtains.
He had not cared to turn out the lights, however, and for several moments everything was indistinguishable.