The Cinema Murder
train northwards. Its long strip of flinty platform was utterly deserted. Around the three flickering gas-lamps the drizzling rain fell continuously. The weary porter came yawni
seemingly," the latter re
ho came down from London on a one-day return excursion
s approaching the ticket window was heard. A long, white hand was thru
etton Junct
the till, and resumed his place before the fire. The porter, with the lamp in his hand, lounged out into
g up to see his barmaid ag
master yaw
ered. "What an old woman
erybody's busin
urney to the far end of the platform to open the door for the solitary passenger who was standing there. He passed up t
ation master asked h
plied, a little curtly. "Maybe it w
*
me restless. He let down the rain-blurred window and leaned out. The cool dampness of the night was immensely refreshing, the rain softened his hot cheeks. He sat there, peering away into the shadows, struggling for the sight of definite objects-a tree, a house, the outline of a field-anything to keep the other thoughts away, the thoughts that came sometimes like the aftermath of a g
nto the elaborate dining-car and found a comfortable corner seat. The luxury of his surroundings soothed his jagged nerves. The car was comfortably warmed, the electric light upon his table was softly shaded. The steward who waited upon him was swift-footed and obsequious, and seemed entirely oblivious of Philip's shabby, half-soaked clothes. He ordered champagne a little vaguely, and the wine ran through his veins with a curious potency. He ate and d
Hotel. He made his way at once to the office. His clothes were
for me, I think," he sa
ome lugg
nced at him and ha
sir, on the second
edroom. A fire was blazing in the grate; a dressing-case, a ste
him, "is down-stairs, and will go direct to the steamer to-mor
assented. "What time
o'clock
fancied himself on board early in the day. The prospect
e afternoon,
n go on board any time after eleven o'clock in th
ressing-case. He surveyed their carefully packed contents with a certain grim and fantastic amusement, handled the silver brushes, shook out a purple brocaded dressing-gown, laid out a suit of clothes for the morrow, ev