CHAPTER ONE
Gissing lived alone (except for his Japanese butler) in a little house in
the country, in that woodland suburb region called the Canine Estates. He
lived comfortably and thoughtfully, as bachelors often do. He came of a
respectable family, who had always conducted themselves calmly and
without too much argument. They had bequeathed him just enough income
to live on cheerfully, without display but without having to do addition
and subtraction at the end of the month and then tear up the paper lest Fuji
(the butler) should see it.
It was strange, since Gissing was so pleasantly situated in life, that he
got into these curious adventures that I have to relate. I do not attempt to
explain it.
He had no responsibilities, not even a motor car, for his tastes were
surprisingly simple. If he happened to be spending an evening at the
country club, and a rainstorm came down, he did not worry about getting
home. He would sit by the fire and chuckle to see the married members
creep away one by one. He would get out his pipe and sleep that night at
the club, after telephoning Fuji not to sit up for him. When he felt like it he
used to read in bed, and even smoke in bed. When he went to town to the
theatre, he would spend the night at a hotel to avoid the fatigue of the long
ride on the 11:44 train. He chose a different hotel each time, so that it was
always an Adventure. He had a great deal of fun.