The Passing of the Third Floor Back by Jerome K. Jerome. Short summary

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A stranger reached Bloomsbury Square on a dark November day. This mysterious man surprised the surrounding boats with his appearance. He ended up checking into a hotel on the fourth floor.

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One November afternoon in Bloomsbury Square, a young man appeared who looked strange — he had an oddly shaped bulge on his back. The lady who watched him move thought he was carrying a mountain of dirty dishes. She thought the bulge was not a hump or a curvature of the spine.

The strange gait of the boy was also noticed by the constable, who stood there looking bored and not at all expecting such an event to occur. Initially he thought the stranger was an old man. The constable was afraid that he might easily fall over, but a moment later he saw that the mysterious man was a young man.

The latter soon approached the constable and asked him how to get to Bloomsbury Square. Hearing that he was already in the right place, he decided to clarify how to get to Mrs. Pennicherry’s hotel. Having received the necessary answer, the young man went there and after a short time rented a small room.