owned, for reasons presently to be divulged) had 

 led me to absorb a large and various technical liter- 

 ature. The subject of lenses was especially attrac- 

 tive; and, always in the hopeful expectation that 

 affluence would some day permit the possession of 

 that last word in magnifying instruments, I read 

 with religious fervor every work in the list in the 

 public library. 



It was late. The pawnshop was in darkness ex- 

 cept for a light casting its dim rays over a huge 

 vault-like safe in the rear. In the glare of the street 

 lamp, however, I was enabled to note that the in- 

 strument was furnished with two objective lenses 

 and an eyepiece which permitted magnifications 

 ranging from 100 to 450 in power. 



I do not know how long I stood fascinated, 

 admiring its mechanical perfection; but I do know 

 that I eventually became dimly conscious that 

 some one was behind me and also evidently had 

 interested himself in the contents of the show- 

 window. 



Clark Street at that hour was virtually deserted. 

 A passing policeman, some minutes before, had 

 been the only pedestrian who impinged himself 

 upon my subconsciousness. Soon, however, I be- 



[14] 



