" Housing of a rather basic nature had been set aside for me in the western outskirts of the city near the banks of the @Mersey. I was slow to make friends, and my evenings were spent reading a number of story books that I had brought with me from London.

One night, not long after the beginning of my new life in Liverpool, I was lying in bed listening to the wind and rain beating over the housetops and driving against the windows, when suddenly there came a loud rap at my door.

"Who's there?" I demanded, jumping out of bed.

I heard no answer, so I repeated my question, standing there and listening for a moment.