A man may receive there a bit of news that will change the whole of the rest of his life, or he may receive only an invitation to a mediocre lunch in the restaurant underneath; he never knows beforehand.

Priam assuredly did not receive an invitation to lunch.

He was traversing the crowded thoroughfares--for with the exception of match and toothpick sellers the corridor has the characteristics of a Strand pavement in the forenoon-- when he caught sight of Mr.Oxford talking to a woman.

Now, he had exchanged no word with Mr.Oxford since the historic scene in the club, and he was determined to exchange no word; however, they had not gone through the formality of an open breach.

The most prudent thing to do, therefore, was to turn and take another corridor.