The explanation came a week later.It was about ten oclock at night;I had been dining by myself at a restaurant,and having returned to my small apartment,was sitting in my parlour,reading.I heard the cracked tinkling of the bell,and,going into the corridor,opened the door.Stroeve stood before me.

　　‘Can I come in?’he asked.

　　In the dimness of the landing I could not see him very well,but there was something in his voice that surprised me.I knew he was of abstemious habit or I should have thought he had been drinking.I led the way into my sittingroom and asked him to sit down.

　　‘Thank God Ive found you’,he said.

　　‘Whats the matter?’I asked in astonishment at his vehemence.

　　I was able now to see him well.As a rule he was neat in his person,but now his clothes were in disorder.He looked suddenly bedraggled.I was convinced he had been drinking,and I smiled.I was on the point of chaffing him on his state.

　　‘I didnt know where to go’,he burst out.‘I came here earlier,but you werent in.’

　　‘I dined late’,I said.

　　I ......