By degrees his mind fell into its old groove and he hastened his steps.

From time to time, he fancied that some one was following him at no great distance, but though he glanced quickly over his shoulder he saw no one in the dimly-lighted street.

The door of the house in which he lived was open, and he ran up the stairs at a great pace, sure that by this time his friends must be waiting for him in his room.

When he reached it, all was dark and quiet.

The echo of his own footsteps seemed still to resound in the staircase as he closed his door and struck a match.