Part I, Chapter 2 Summary

Continuing her report to the inspector, the narrator describes Camilo Canegato as the ideal boarder. Over the ensuing twelve years he proves himself to be quiet, well-behaved, and humble. He doesn't stay out late or drink alcohol. At first, he brings lots of bottles filled with pills, powders, and syrups with him to the dining table. He says the medicines are for his brain, but he doesn't expound because the other boarders give him such a hard time about it. After a while, he quits bringing the bottles to the table.

Several weeks after he moves in, the narrator follows Camilo to his studio to see what it's like. She is impressed by his business and can't believe that people pay him so much money to restore their paintings. During some point over the twelve years, Camilo paints a...