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           Thelowerfloorcommunicatedbytwodoorwayswiththenarrow,rock-pavedsidewalk.Thepulperia—ordrinkingshop—oftheproprietress,MadamaTimoteaOrtiz,occupiedthegroundfloor.Onthebottlesofbrandy,anisada,Scotch"smoke"andinexpensivewinesbehindthelittlecounterthedustlaythicksavewherethefingersofinfrequentcustomershadleftirregularprints.Theupperstorycontainedfourorfiveguest-roomswhichwererarelyputtotheirdestineduse.Sometimesafruit-grower,ridinginfromhisplantationtoconferwithhisagent,wouldpassamelancholynightinthedismalupperstory;sometimesaminornativeofficialonsometriflinggovernmentquestwouldhavehispompandmajestyawedbyMadama’ssepulchralhospitality.ButMadamasatbehindherbarcontent,notdesiringtoquarrelwithFate.Ifanyonerequiredmeat,drinkorlodgingattheHoteldelosEstranjerostheyhadbuttocome,andbeserved.Estábueno.Iftheycamenot,why,then,theycamenot.Estábueno.

           AstheexceptionalyachtsmanwasmakinghiswaydowntheprecarioussidewalkoftheStreetoftheHolySepulchre,thesolitarypermanentguestofthatdecayinghotelsatatitsdoor,enjoyingthebreezefromthesea.

           Dr.Gregg,thequarantinephysician,wasamanoffiftyorsixty,withafloridfaceandthelongestbeardbetweenTopekaandTerradelFuego.HeheldhispositionbyvirtueofanappointmentbytheBoardofHealthofaseaportcityinoneoftheSouthernstates.