It was much lighter here, though the hall had the tawdry appearance of a theater in the day-time; and the motes swam thickly in the beams of sunshine which entered through the half-closed shutters.

It was only at night that Stuler's was presentable.
Scarcely a dozen men sat at the tables.

In one corner Maurice saw what appeared to be a man asleep on his arms, which were extended the width of the table.

It was the cosiest corner in the hall, and Maurice decided to establish himself at the other side of the table, despite the present incumbent.

Noiselessly he crossed the floor and sat down.