And my razors (without Stenson's care) were
benignantly blunt, and I would not condescend to braces. I
groaned and pished and pshawed, but as it was written that I was
to live, I resigned myself to a barren and theoryless existence.
After a day or two the vital instinct asserted itself more
strongly. I became inspired by an illuminating revelation. I
had a preliminary aim in life. I would go out into the world in
search of a theory. When found I would apply it to the
regulation of the score and a half years during which I might
possibly expect to remain on this planet. I must take my chances
of it leading me to the corpse of another Polyphemus.
As it struck me I should not find my theory in Italy, I packed up
my belongings and hastened from Verona. At Naples I picked up a
Messageries Maritimes steamer and began a circular tour in the
Levant. At Alexandretta I went ashore, and inquired my way to
the dwelling of the Prefect of Police. I did not call on Hamdi
Effendi. But I wandered round the walls and wondered in a moody,
heart-achey way where it was that Carlotta sat when Harry came
along and whistled her like a tame falcon to his arm.
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