Turning in at the gateway, he saw on the right a flight of stairs which a peasant was mounting with a book in his hand.

"A house-porter, no doubt; so then, the office is here," and he began ascending the stairs on the chance.

He did not want to ask questions of anyone.
"I'll go in, fall on my knees, and confess everything..." he thought, as he reached the fourth floor.
The staircase was steep, narrow and all sloppy with dirty water.

The kitchens of the flats opened on to the stairs and stood open almost the whole day.

So there was a fearful smell and heat.