negligently, and took a pull at the
dark beer. All his movements--the way he grasped the mug, the act of
drinking, the way he set the heavy glass down and folded his arms--had a
firmness, an assured precision which made the big and muscular Ossipon,
leaning forward with staring eyes and protruding lips, look the picture
of eager indecision.

"An hour," he said. "Then it may be you haven't heard yet the news I've
heard just now--in the street. Have you?"

The little man shook his head negatively the least bit. But as he gave
no indication of curiosity Ossipon ventured to add that he had heard it
just outside the place. A newspaper boy had yelled the thing under his
very nose, and not being prepared for anything of that sort, he was very
much startled and upset. He had to come in there with a dry mouth. "I
never thought of finding you here," he added, murmuring steadily, with
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
flashing a cold fire.

"Perfectly. Always. Under every circumstance. What could stop me? Why
should I not? Why should I think twice about it?"

Ossipon gasped, as it were, discreetly.

"Do you mean to say you would hand it over to a 'teck' if one came to ask
you for your wares?"

The other smiled faintly.

"Let them come and try it on, and you will see," he said. "They know me,
but I know also eve