Some men, wearing sea-boots and jerseys, others in labouring garb, splashed with clay and mud, were standing about.

They ceased their conversation as the party from the motor-car appeared around the corner, and, moving a respectful distance away, watched them covertly.
The front door of the inn was closed.

Superintendent Galloway tapped at it sharply, and after the lapse of a moment or two the door was opened, and a man appeared on the threshold.

Seeing the police uniforms he stepped outside as if to make more room for the party to enter the narrow passage from which he had emerged.

Colwyn noticed that he was so tall that he had to stoop in the old-fashioned doorway as he came out.
Seen at close quarters, this man was a strange specimen of humanity.