The simple past and the past perfect, simple and continuous
7. I (look) out before I (go) to bed and (see) a man standing on the opposite pavement
watching the house. When I (get up) the following morning he (be) still there, and
I (wonder) whether he (stay) there all night or if he (go) away and (come) back. When I (open) the door I (see) a man on his knees. He clearly (listen) to our conversation and I (wonder) how much he (hear). When I (ask) him what he (do),
he (say) that he (drop) a 50p piece outside the door and (look) for it. I (not see) any sign of the money, but I (find) a small notebook and pencil which he probably (drop) when the door (open) suddenly. So he (take) notes of our conversation! The notes (be) written in a foreign language, so I (turn) to the stranger and (ask) him to translate. But he (pull) my hat over my eyes and (run) off down the corridor. By the time I (recover) from the shock he (disappear) round the corner. Curiously enough, when I (move) my foot I (find) that I (stand) on a 50p piece. Perhaps he (tell) the truth after all!