His first impression, as he joined the busy throng, was, that he was one of the puppets.

He did not seem to have any hold upon the scene, and for several minutes this sensation of vacancy chained him to the spot.
"All right!" exclaimed he to himself at last.

"I am here.

Now's my time to make a strike.

Now or never." He pulled Mr.Bayard's card from his pocket, and fixed the number of his store in his mind.