He was well over six feet in height, and so cadaverous, thin and gaunt that he might well have been mistaken for the presiding genius of the marshes who had stricken that part of the Norfolk coast with aridity and barrenness.

But there was no lack of strength in his frame as he advanced briskly towards his visitors.

His face was not the least remarkable part of him.

It was ridiculously small and narrow for so big a frame, with a great curved beak of a nose, and small bright eyes set close together.

Those eyes were at the present moment glancing with bird-like swiftness from one to the other of his visitors.
"You are the innkeeper--the landlord of this place ?" asked Mr.
Cromering.
"At your service, sir.