Thedrum—beatoftherainfollowedhimdownthestaircase，butheshutitoutwithhisotherthoughts，whenheagainclosedthedoorofhisoffice。Hesetdiligentlytoworkbythedecliningwinterlight，untilhewasinterruptedbytheentranceofhisChinesewaitertotellhimthatsupper——whichwasthemealthatMulradyreligiouslyadheredtoinplaceofthelatedinnerofcivilization——
wasreadyinthedining—room。Mulradymechanicallyobeyedthesummons；butonenteringtheroomtheoasisofafewplatesinadesertofwhitetable—clothwhichawaitedhimmadehimhesitate。
Initsbestaspect，thehighdarkGothicmahoganyecclesiasticalsideboardandchairsofthisroom，whichlookedliketheappointmentsofamortuarychapel，werenotexhilarating；andto—
day，inthelightoftherain—filmedwindowsandthefeebleraysofalamphalf—obscuredbythedarkshiningwalls，itwasmostdepressing。
\"Youkintakeupsupperintomyoffice，\"saidMulrady，withasuddeninspiration。\"I’lleatitthere。\"