The Double

The hero of our story entered his lodgings looking completely bewildered; without taking off his coat or hat, he crossed the hallway and, as if struck by lightning, stopped at the threshold of his bedroom. The stranger was sitting before him, also in coat and hat, on his own bed, smiling slightly, and, blinking his eyes a little, he nodded to him in greeting. Mr. Golyadkin tried to cry out but could not, and he collapsed into a chair, nearly swooning with terror. And to tell the truth, there was reason to. Mr. Golyadkin had quite recognized his nocturnal companion, who was none other than himself, Mr. Golyadkin, but completely identical to himself; in short, what is called his double in every respect...