METROPOLIS just that deepened the impression that it was inescapable. that it would be quite pointless to play deaf permanently.
"Who is there?" asked Josaphat hoarsely. He knew very well who was standing outside. He only asked to gain time-
to draw breath, which he badly needed: He expected no answer; neither did he receive one. The door opened. In the doorway stood Slim. They did not greet each other; neither greeted the other. Josaphat: hecause his gullet was too dry: Slim: because his all~ohserving eye had d'arted through the room in the second in which he put his foot on the threshold, and had found something: a hlack cap, lying on the Boor. Josaphat f9llowed Slim's gaze with his eyes. He did not stir. With silent step Slim went up t<> the cap, stooped and picked it up. He twisted it gently this way and that, he twisted it inside Qut.
In the sweat-sodden lining of the cap stood the number. lISll. Slim weighed the cap 'in almost affectionate hands, He
- 6xed his eyes, which were as though veiled with weariness
on }osaphat and asked, speaking in a low voice: "Where is Freder, Josaphat?"
"I do not know...." Slim smiled sleepily.. He fondled the hlack cap, Josaphat's hoarse voice continued:
anyway
But if I did know you would not get it out of me,
- '
Slim looked at Josaphat, still smiling, still fondling the black cap. -You are quite right," said he courteously. "I beg your pardonl It was an idle question. Of course you will not tell me where Mr. Freder i~. Neither. is it at all necessary. . . . It is quite another matter. .. :~ .
He pocketed the cap, having carefully rolled it up, and looked around the room. He went up to an armchair, stand-
ing near a low, black, polished tahle.
.
"You permit me?" he asked courteously, seating himself. ]osaphat made a movement of the head, but the "Please
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