Solid, heavy stacks of paper filled all the corners half-way up to the ceiling.

And when the thought flashed upon me that these were the premises of the Marine Board and that this fellow must be connected in some way with ships and sailors and the sea, my astonishment took my breath away.

One couldn't imagine why the Marine Board should keep that bald, fat creature slaving down there.

For some reason or other I felt sorry and ashamed to have found him out in his wretched captivity.

I asked gently and sorrowfully: "The Shipping Office, please." He piped up in a contemptuous squeaky voice which made me start: "Not here.