"You don't know much, or you wouldn't ask," said he.

"He's Alton of Somasco, but if he lives long enough he will be one of the biggest men in this country." Hallam said nothing, but there was a curious look in his face which puzzled the rancher.

It suggested that he had heard of Alton, and something more.
Meanwhile Alton entered the store, where the man who kept it pointed to a litter of packages strewn about the floor and sundry bags upon the counter.
"That's Townshead's lot, and those are Thomson's things," he said, and turned aside to listen to a rancher who came in smiling.
Alton took up a big cotton bag marked Townshead, tossed it aloft and caught it, and then shook his head dubiously.

"That's rather too light for ten pounds.

You want to try her on the scales again," he said.
The storekeeper, who was also a magistrate, grinned good-humouredly.
"It's good enough for the money, anyway," said he.