The Mission of Poubalov — page 171: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

WHAT PAUL PALOVNA SAW. 167 CHAPTER XXI. WHAT PAUL PALOVNA SAW. Paul was not disheartened by his discovery, or by the landlady’s comment. He believed that she was telling the truth, and that the door that Litizki supposed to commu- nicate with the little front room really opened into a huge closet, a convenience with which the old-fashioned house abounded. He had paid a week’s rent, and he determined to get some good out of it. Accordingly, he returned to his regular quarters, and packed a bag with personal ef- fects, as if he were going upona journey. This he took down to the room in Bulfinch Place. He saw the landlady again as he entered. ‘*By the way,’’ he said, “‘is there any communication between my room and the one in front?”’ ‘*No,’’ she replied; ‘‘there’s a door there that was put in years ago when a family occupied the whole of that floor, but itis nailed up. It won’t open from either side, so you needn’t be afraid. There’s a very quiet gentleman in the front room, so you won’t be disturbed.’’ ‘*All right, thanks,’’ responded Paul, thinking that in due time he might make good use of the landlady’s pro- clivity for gossip. He went to his room and studied the disused door attentively. ‘There was a keyhole, but it was securely plugged. He lay upon the floor and _ peered under, but the door came close down upon the threshold, and nothing was to be seen. ‘“‘Tt’s a disagreeable expedient,’’ he muttered, ‘“‘but the end justifies the means in this case. I won't say anything to Miss Hilman about it, though.’’ He opened his bag and took out a gimlet that he had bought on the way to his permanent room. Then he drew. im