his elbows planted on the table.

"I come here sometimes," said the other, preserving his provoking
coolness of demeanour.

"It's wonderful that you of all people should have heard nothing of it,"
the big Ossipon continued. His eyelids snapped nervously upon the
shining eyes. "You of all people," he repeated tentatively. This
obvious restraint argued an incredible and inexplicable timidity of the
big fellow before the calm little man, who again lifted the glass mug,
drank, and put it down with brusque and assured movements. And that was
all.

Ossipon after waiting for something, word or sign, that did not come,
made an effort to assume a sort of indifference.

"Do you," he said, deadening his voice still more, "give your stuff to
anybody who's up to asking you for it?"

"My absolute rule is never to refuse anybody--as long as I have a pinch
by me," answered the little man with decision.

"That's a principle?" commented Ossipon.

"It's a principle."

"And you think it's sound?"

The large round spectacles, which gave a look of staring self-confidence
to the sallow face, confronted Ossipon like sleepless, unwinking orbs