They were but about twelve hundred in all; to the eyes of Cosmo it seemed a mighty library--a treasure-house for a royal sage.
There was no one in the room when they entered, and Cosmo was yet staring in mute astonishment, when suddenly Mr.Simon was addressing his father.

But the door had not opened, and how he came in seemed inexplicable.

To the eyes of the boy the small man before him assumed gigantic proportions.
But he was in truth below the middle height, somewhat round-shouldered, with long arms, and small, well-shaped hands.

His hair was plentiful, grizzled, and cut short.

His head was large and his forehead wide, with overhanging brows; his eyes were small, dark, and brilliant; his nose had a certain look of decision--but a nose is a creature beyond description; his mouth was large, and his chin strong; his complexion dark, and his skin rugged.