Good-bye, Daren." In other days Manton's building on Main Street had appeared a pretentious one to Lane's untraveled eyes.

It was an old three-story red-brick-front edifice, squatted between higher and more modern structures.

When he climbed the dirty dark stairway up to the second floor a throng of memories returned with the sensations of creaky steps, musty smell, and dim light.

When he pushed open a door on which MANTON & CO.

showed in black letters he caught his breath.