Until then he had merely disliked Lawler, aware of the latent strength of him, his rugged manliness, and his quiet confidence.

All those evidences of character had irritated him, for they had brought an inevitable contrast between himself and the man, and he knew he lacked those things which would have made him Lawler's equal.

He felt inferior, and the malevolence that accompanied the conviction was reflected in his face as he faced Simmons.
"No cars, now--damn them! Not a single car! Understand, Simmons?
No cars--you can't get them! No matter what happens, you can't get cars--for anybody!" He left Simmons and descended to the street.

As he passed the front of the Willets Hotel he saw Lawler and his friends inside; but Lawler had his back turned, and the others were interestedly watching him, gesturing and talking.
Warden entered the front door of the Wolf.

He stopped at the bar for a drink, and the barkeeper told him, in reply to his question, that Singleton was in a rear room.
Singleton was alone.