Though I did hear he was a sad man just now along of being crossed in love, so I can't promise you he'll be up to his usual, if he's at Speed's to-night." "I suppose the requirements for a western lawyer," said Mr.Stanton acidly, "are a gift of buffoonery and a reputation for gallantry." He was intensely bored, and had small desire to make the acquaintance of provincial celebrities.
Mr.Curtin was offended, but could think of no suitable retort, and as they were close on Speed's store he swallowed his wrath and led the way through alleys of piled merchandise to the big room where the stove was lighted.
It was a chilly fall night and the fire was welcome.

Half a dozen men sat smoking round it, with rummers of reeking toddy at their elbows.
They were ordinary citizens of the place, and they talked of the last horseraces.

As the new-comers entered they were appealing to a figure perched on a high barrel to decide some point in dispute.
This figure climbed down from its perch, as they entered, with a sort of awkward courtesy.

It was a very tall man, thin almost to emaciation, with long arms and big hands and feet.

He had a lean, powerful-looking head, marred by ugly projecting ears and made shapeless by a mass of untidy black hair.