He noticed the tenderness of the touch, the deft fingering which had something of respect in it.

Paul Alexis was visibly one of those men who take mankind seriously, and have that in their hearts which for want of a better word we call sympathy.
"Mind you do not catch some infectious disease," said Steinmetz gruffly.
"I should not care to handle any stray moujik one finds dead about the roadside; unless, of course, you think there is more money about him.

It would be a pity to leave that for the police." Paul did not answer.

He was examining the limp, dirty hands of the dead man.

The fingers were covered with soil, the nails were broken.