He travelled by the South-Eastern and Chatham, but he reached Redhill, and smelt the tannery as he searched for an exit from the station. The salient features of Redhill are the smell of leather, the shrieks of trains, and the all-night barking of mongrels. He was directed to Station Road, and told to "bear to the left." The townlet seemed to him to blend the most unpleasant characteristics of Clapham Junction and Hanley in the Potteries. He started briskly. The way was long, and several times he paused to seek further information. Occasionally a carriage passed, the occupants with protesting noses. By degrees all the villas and the pavement dropped behind him; the smell of the tannery was fainter, and the path on either side was bordered by a hedge. From the altitude of a butcher's cart a boy in blue encouraged him with the assurance that Peregrine Place was "straight on." Presently the way wound, and a terrace of small semi-detached houses with little front gardens gladdened his view. As he drew close he saw "Home Rest" painted on the gate-post at the corner. Outside, in the sequestered road, a venerable tenant, with a velvet skull-cap and silvery hair, was pottering around a camera. At Conrad's approach he lifted his head, and regarded him with gentle curiosity. The sight of the blue eyes and placid face seemed suddenly familiar to Conrad; he felt far-off memories stirring in him as his gaze met the old man's features, and, doffing his hat, he murmured, with the deference that sat so well upon him:-- "Dr. Page, I think?" "Heh?" said the old gentleman, inclining the other ear. "You don't know me," said Conrad wistfully, but in a louder tone. "We haven't met since I was a boy, Dr. Page--that's many years ago." The old gentleman indicated Home Rest impatiently. "Next door," he snapped, "Dr. Page lives next door!" Conrad retreated with hasty apologies, feeling considerably foolish. He would have preferred to stroll awhile before repeating his exordium, and only the consciousness of being watched by the old gentleman who had misled him constrained him to unlatch the gate. A neat servant answered that Dr. Page was not at home. He was relieved. "I'll call again," he said. "When do you expect him to come in?" "Oh, he's away, sir, he won't be back for two or three days. Would you like to see Mrs. Page, sir?"