Two men more ostentatiously clad, though apparently on equal terms with the others, were standing in the corner with their backs towards him.

From the general silence as he entered he imagined that he had been the subject of conversation, and that his altercation with Hamlin had been overheard.

Suddenly one of the two men turned and approached him.

To his consternation he recognized Steptoe,--Steptoe, whom he had not seen for five years until last night, when he had avoided him in the courtyard of the Boomville Hotel.

His first instinct was to retreat, but it was too late.