The sun shone, the air was mild. Anyone turning into Georgenstraße and seeing, here and there, the trees extending their still full, leafy branches over fences would have thought that it was the beginning of September. But large wagons covered with canvas, bearing the inscription “Fiddichen Furniture Transport, Mauerstraße 17,” stood before several houses, including Counselor Schulze’s. The side railings of several dismantled beds were propped against the wagon, and a basket of kitchenware sat on the curb. Leaning against the basket was a picture in a baroque frame: a woman with a tall powdered wig and a flowered bodice—at least as much of a bodice as there was. The painter had neglected, as far as decency allowed, to complete the bodice and thus had given free rein to that element of nature bound within. It was, in fact, moving day, not the beginning of September, but rather the beginning of October. Moving day much improved Georgenstraße. It wasn't every day that one saw such a wagon and such a portrait, so a number of people stood around the wagon and the picture, including a large group of children.

Among those who examined the picture with interest was a young man of around twenty-six. It was not easy to determine his age, because there was an incongruity between his facial expression and his full, black beard. His expression was youthful, but his beard suggested a man in the prime of life. The beard was in error, however; he was just twenty-six and somewhat above average height, with broad shoulders. According to build and beard, he was a full-grown man, and indeed one that most people would call a good-looking man. He would be considered quite presentable.

When he was done with his examination of the picture, the young man resumed his actual task and, from the street, began to scrutinize, over the curb, the houses on the other side. He was, in fact, looking for lodgings. The gods were with him, for he had hardly glanced at the building directly across the street when he saw a notice over the front door that said: “An elegantly furnished room for rent, third floor on the left.” He nodded, as though saying to himself, “it seems that here is where I will set up my tents.”