They met a crowd of workmen at the corner, one of whom, an old man freshly washed, with honest eyes looking out of horn spectacles, waited for them by a fire-plug.

It was Polston, the coal-digger,--an acquaintance, a far-off kinsman of Holmes, in fact.
"Curious person making signs to you, yonder," said Cox; "hand, I presume." "My cousin Polston.

If you do not know him, you'll excuse me ?" Cox sniffed the air down the street, and twirled his rattan, as he went.

The coal-digger was abrupt and distant in his greeting, going straight to business.
"I will keep yoh only a minute, Mr.Holmes"---- "Stephen," corrected Holmes.
The old man's face warmed.
"Stephen, then," holding out his hand, "sence old times dawn't shame yoh, Stephen.

That's hearty, now.