Who joins Tom and his companion at the deserted house?

• A. A Detective
• B. A Third Man
• C. A Farmer
• D. A Merchant

Answer: (B)

The moment hinges on a mysterious, unnamed traveler joining Tom and his companion at the deserted house. This newcomer is described as the Third Man—a vague, almost shadowy figure who isn’t introduced with a clear role or name. That ambiguity is key: it captures the precarious, improvised life of migrants on the road, where strangers can appear without warning and bring a sense of unease or danger. The other options—someone who is a detective, a farmer, or a merchant—would position the newcomer in a definite social role with specific expectations, which doesn’t fit the scene. The text intentionally presents the man as an undefined presence, hence the identifying label of the Third Man.