OU_214051 UNIVERSA - Osmania University

THE LODGER *9
strength to raise it again. The spanner dropped from his moist
fingers, clanged on the floor. He leant back on the cushions, gazing
dully in front of him, and took breath. And, while he did so, he
listened intently. Was there the sound of another's breathing,
besides his own, in the carriage? Fervently he hoped not! His wrist
was still aching, he had no desire to start again....
Without looking at the body, he went to a window and let it
down, after releasing the blind. There had been no snow at Saint-
Quentin, but here, he noticed, the fields were white as far as eye
could reach, and the sky had a frosty sheen.
His overcoat kept getting in his way and he flung it off. Then,
trying not to look at the Dutchman's head, he raised the body,
intending to heave it out of the window on to the line. He made
three attempts. Contrary to all his preconceived ideas, the body was
limp, and folded up when he tried to move it.
When Elie finally let go, the upper part of the body was trailing
on the floor, while the legs remained on the berth.
And then a panic haste came over him. He put on his overcoat,
opened the attache'-case, and thrust the bundles of notes into his
pockets. He couldn't bear to stay a moment longer in the carriage.
Without even stopping to close the window he hurried out into the
corridor. As he walked through the concertina vestibule leading
to the next coach a rush of icy air enveloped him and he saw blobs
of ice on the iron stanchions.
From coach to coach he made his way the full length of the train,
only stopping when he came to the door of the luggage-van.
Only then the thought occurred to him: " I forgot to shut the
window. Someone will see him when we get to Compiegne."
The blinds were drawn everywhere and he didn't dare to enter
any of the carriages. Finally he shut himself up in a lavatory, where
the light was so bright that it made his eyes smart. He looked round
for a switch to turn it off, but couldn't find one. There was a mirror
over the basin and, try as Tie might, he could not help gazing at his
face.
" I forgot to shut the window ... I forgot to shut the window
... I forgot. .." The words kept echoing in his head, timing
themselves to the thudding of the wheels.
" And when we get to Compi&gne ... When we get to Compiegne
•.."
He put down the lid and sat on it, crossing his legs and leaning
back against the wall.
B