While we were hanging about near the water's edge, as sailors idling ashore will do (it was in the open space before the Harbour Office of a great Eastern port), a man came towards us from the "front" of business houses, aiming obliquely at the landing steps.

He attracted my attention because in the movement of figures in white drill suits on the pavement from which he stepped, his costume, the usual tunic and trousers, being made of light grey flannel, made him noticeable.
I had time to observe him.

He was stout, but he was not grotesque.

His face was round and smooth, his complexion very fair.

On his nearer approach I saw a little moustache made all the fairer by a good many white hairs.