master.put(key, existing);
                        if (!pending.isEmpty()) {
                            predecessors.put(key, pending);
                            pending = new ArrayList<>();
                        }
                    } else {
                        pending.add(element);
                    }
                }

                        master.put(key, element);

                        if (!pending.isEmpty()) {
                            predecessors.put(key, pending);
                            pending = new ArrayList<>();
                        }
                    } else {
                        pending.add(element);
                    }
                }