Grass sprouted between the pebbles and a greenish stain lay upon the flagstones.

The drab frontage was similarly streaked; dust and rain together had set a crust upon the windows, and tufts of dark mossy grass again flourished in the gutter-pipes beneath the eaves.
Surveying this desolation, Captain Jemmy uttered a grunt and Captain John a "p'sh!" They fumbled in their pockets, drew out their two letters, and moved to the blistered front-door.

A bell-pull, as rusty as the railings outside, depended by the jamb.

Captain Jemmy tugged at it.

It was noteworthy that whenever any effort had to be put forth, however small, the tall man stepped forward and the hunchback looked on.