Beyond this the barroom was crowded, a riffraff lined up before the sloppy bar, among these a number in uniform--unattached officers who had loitered behind to quench their thirst.

Hamlin drank little, but lingered a moment just inside the doorway, to observe who was present.

Unconsciously he was searching for Dupont, half inclined to pick a quarrel deliberately with the fellow or with Connors, determined if he found the little rat alone to frighten whatever knowledge he possessed out of him.

But neither worthy appeared.
Having assured himself of their absence, Hamlin turned to depart, but found himself facing a little man with long hair, roughly dressed, who occupied the doorway.

The hooked nose, and bright eyes, peering forth from a mass of untrimmed gray whiskers, were familiar.
"You keep the junk shop down by the express office, don't you ?" "Yep," briskly, scenting business in the question.