Long--long past! Was it possible that he had been penned up for three years in this stifling place?
Manton carried on various lines of business, and for Middleville, he was held to be something of a merchant and broker.

Lane was wholly familiar with the halls, the several lettered doors, the large unpartitioned office at the back of the building.

Here his slow progress was intercepted by a slip of a girl who asked him what he wanted.

Before answering, Lane took stock of the girl.

She might have been all of fifteen--no older.