The cycle “The Dark Tower” begins with Roland of Gilead, the last gunslinger of the vanished world that has been “shifted,” chasing a man in black—a wizard in black clothes. Walter’s pursuit drags on for a long time. At the end of the first book of the cycle, Roland manages to catch up with the wizard. The story offered to you happened to Roland while he was still following Walter’s trail. Therefore, to understand what’s going on, you don’t need to know what happened in the four already published books of the cycle. I hope you will read this little episode from Roland’s life with interest (and pleasure).