`` There is probably no one to hear me except Alexander Abraham , and I have my painful doubts about his tender mercies . Now , it is impossible to go down . Is it , then , William Adolphus , possible to go up ? '' I looked up . Just above my head was an open window with a tolerably stout branch extending right across it . `` Shall we try that way , William Adolphus ? '' I asked . William Adolphus , wasting no words , began to climb the tree . I followed his example . The dog ran in circles about the tree and looked things not lawful to be uttered . It probably would have been a relief to him to bark if it had n't been so against his principles . I got in by the window easily enough , and found myself in a bedroom the like of which for disorder and dust and general awfulness I had never seen in all my life . But I did not pause to take in details . With William Adolphus under my arm I marched downstairs , fervently hoping I should meet no one on the way . I did not . The hall below was empty and dusty . I opened the first door I came to and walked boldly in . A man was sitting by the window , looking moodily out . I should have known him for Alexander Abraham anywhere . He had just the same uncared-for , ragged appearance that the house had ; and yet , like the house , it seemed that he would not be bad looking if he were trimmed up a little .
His hair XXXXX as if it had never been combed , and his whiskers were wild in the extreme .
asked bark came got known looked opened ran try wasting