Albert Jenkins was nineteen years of age, and lived with his parents and seven brothers and sisters in Camberwell; his father managed a refreshment¹ bar in Oxford² Street. He had been in the employ of Messrs. Curpet and Smythe for seven years,—first as junior office boy, then as senior office boy, and finally as junior shorthand clerk. He was of the average height, with a shallow chest, and thin arms and legs. His feet were very small—he often referred to the fact with frank complacency—and were always encased in well-fitting hand-made boots, brightly polished. The rest of his attire³ was less remarkable⁴ for neatness; but at intervals⁵ an ambition to be genteel possessed⁶ him, and during these recurrent periods the nice conduct of his fingernails interfered⁷ somewhat with official routine. He carried his hat either at the back of his head or tilted⁸ almost upon the bridge of his nose. In the streets he generally walked with sedate⁹ deliberation, his hands deep in his pockets, his eyes lowered, and an enigmatic smile on his thin lips.