Chapter 1 Summary

The story begins on Tuesday, April 8, 1912, when the narrator comes upon a stranger hanging by his coat on the railings of a grand house in the Manchester Square section of London, England. They exchange a few words, and Morgan walks on. The man frees himself and stumbles after Morgan, clutches him and dies peacefully in his arms. Morgan hails the police and watches as the unfortunate man is taken to a nearby barbershop and propped up in a chair to await the coroner. The man has pressed into Morgan's hand a small photograph of a Japanese woman peeping out from behind an embroidered fan.

Morgan continues his scheduled activities. At Princes Gate, he packs an overnight bag and, before rushing out, removes a small painting from a hallway wall. He feels guilty about it, particularly after running briefly into his cousin Jack. Although...