"Give me back those papers"




GORDON CRAIG

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE


CHAPTER I

THE FIRST STEP

I had placed the lumber inside the yard as directed, and was already
rehitching the traces, when the man crossed the street slowly,
switching his light cane carelessly in the air. I had noticed him
before standing there in the doorway of the drug store, my attention
attracted by the fashionable cut of his clothes, and the manner in
which he watched me work. Now, as he rounded the heads of the mules, I
straightened up, observing him more closely. He was forty or
forty-five, heavily built, with a rather pasty-white face, a large
nose, eyes unusually deep set, and a closely clipped mustache beginning
to gray. His dress was correct to a button, and there was a pleasant
look to the mouth which served to mitigate the otherwise hard
expression of countenance. As I faced him in some surprise he looked
me fairly in the eyes.

"Been at this job long?" he asked easily.