His features were undeniably Irish; but that which chiefly awakened my curiosity, was his expression.

It was not only wide-awake and intelligent; it was something more.

"Knowing" one would say.

It carried with it the mark of experience, the indelible stamp of the street.

He was a man who has had no childhood, whose education commenced from the cradle.
I did not arrive at all of these conclusions at once, however, for he had finished his inspection before I had fairly started mine.