But he stood irresolute, leaning against the lamppost, as a man will who is trying to force his thoughts to overtake events, trying to shape out of the present.

Suddenly he was aware of a tall figure in a fur coat standing near him on the sidewalk.

He would have turned to go, but something about the stranger's appearance struck him so oddly that he stayed where he was and watched him.
The tall man searched for something in his pockets, and finally produced a cigarette, which he leisurely lighted with a wax match.

As he did so his eyes fell upon Nino.

The stranger was tall and very thin.