So he took his old seat again and for another half-hour listened to the thump of machinery and the squeak of a rusty elevator-brake which almost robbed him of thought.

He was even inclined to doze, when he suddenly became aware of some change either in himself or in what lay about him.
Had the machinery stopped?
No, it was not that.
The place seemed darker, yet it was still very light.
With a restless move, he rose heavily and peered again into the court.
Immediately it was evident what had occurred.

The whole string of lights in the third story had been shut off, and now those of the middle story were following suit.

Only the ground floor remained active with all its lights at the maximum, and every belt moving.
At this unexpected narrowing down of his field of operations he felt greatly relieved.

He had dreaded those long walks through innumerable rooms.