He must have stared at me a full minute, much as a jockey would examine a horse, before he resumed smoking.
"He will do very well, Neale," he decided, with a glance across at the other.

"Possibly a trifle young." "He has roughed it," returned the other reassuringly, "and that means more than years." The first man laughed rather unpleasantly, and emptied his glass.
"So I have discovered.

Have a cigar, or a drink, Craig ?" "I will smoke." He passed me the box, watching me while I lighted the perfecto, Neale crossing to the divan.
"How old are you ?" "Twenty-four." "I thought about that.

What part of the country do you hail from ?" and I noticed now a faint Southern accent in the drawl of his voice.
"New England." "Ever been south ?" "Only as far as St.Louis.

I was at Jefferson Barracks." "Neale said you were in the army--full enlistment ?" "Yes; discharged as corporal." "Ah; what regiment ?" "Third Cavalry." His black eyes swept across toward Neale, his fingers drumming nervously on the leather arm of the chair.
"Exactly; then your service was in Oregon and the Philippines.