A quiet, oldish-looking man got up now and came forward to the witness-box.

I didn't know who he was; but Starlight nodded to him quite pleasant.

He had a short, close-trimmed beard, and was one of those nothing-particular-looking old chaps.

I'm blessed if I could have told what he was.

He might have been a merchant, or a squatter, or a head clerk, or a wine merchant, or a broker, or lived in the town, or lived in the country; any of half-a-dozen trades would suit him.