Not exactly like a fort did it strike him, but if it had not been designed for defense it certainly gave that impression, especially from the long, low side with its dark eye-like windows about the height of a man's shoulder.

Some rather fine horses were tied to a hitching rail.
Otherwise dust and dirt and age and long use stamped this Grass Valley store and its immediate environment.
Jean threw his bridle, and, getting down, mounted the low porch and stepped into the wide open door.

A face, gray against the background of gloom inside, passed out of sight just as Jean entered.

He knew he had been seen.

In front of the long, rather low-ceiled store were four men, all absorbed, apparently, in a game of checkers.