NPPF backbones

[jbor]

In Kinbote's note to line 697 Gradus is described as having a "tremor of
excitement running like fever down his crooked spine."

Cf. the note to line 596 where Kinbote describes his own "long and supple
spine".

There are numerous references to Kinbote's height, the King's stature &c
hereabouts in the notes.

Is the note to line 691 about "the disguised king's arrival in America" the
first time in the Commentary where Kinbote openly acknowledges and refers to
Charles the Beloved in the first person?

Oscar Nattochdag, the "distinguished Zemblan scholar" (n. 627) whom Kinbote
"sees every day in his office" (n. 579), seems another likely candidate, or
red herring, beside V. Botkin, for Kinbote's "true" identity.

best