CHAPTER II.
But the person who had entered the outer shop saved Mr.Bearse the trouble.

He, too, disregarded the "Private" sign on the door of the inner room.

Before Gabriel could reach it that door was thrown open and the newcomer entered.

He was a big man, gray-mustached, with hair a grizzled red, and with blue eyes set in a florid face.
The hand which had opened the door looked big and powerful enough to have knocked a hole in it, if such a procedure had been necessary.

And its owner looked quite capable of doing it, if he deemed it necessary, in fact he looked as if he would rather have enjoyed it.