However, convinced though he was of his renunciation, he could not stay away from the bookshop and went there almost every day in the hope of meeting her.
One evening as he returned home he met Verschoyle on the doorstep of his house, and could not refrain from speaking to him.
'Excuse me,' he said, 'I have seen you sometimes in the bookshop in Charing Cross Road.'
'Indeed?' replied Verschoyle, who was looking anxious and worried.
'Yes. I have seen you there with Miss Day.'
Verschoyle was alert and suspicious at once. He scanned this strange individual but was rather puzzled.
'Do you live here?' he asked.
'On the top floor,' replied Rodd, 'on the top floor—alone—I thought you might have been to see me.'
'No, no. I don't know you.'
'My name is Rodd.'