Though Durbin, who had been speaking, had at first
sight of me shut his mouth like a trap, and even went so far as
to drum an impatient protest with his fingers on the table before
which he stood, neither the major nor the district attorney turned
an unkindly face toward me, and my amiable friend was obliged to
accept my presence with what grace he could.
There was with them a fourth man, who stood apart. On him the
general attention had been concentrated at my entrance and to him
it now returned. He was an unpretentious person of kindly aspect.
To any one accustomed to Washington residents, he bore the
unmistakable signs of being one of the many departmental employees
whose pay is inadequate to the necessities of his family. Of his
personal peculiarities I noted two. He blinked when he talked,
and stuttered painfully when excited. Notwithstanding these
defects he made a good impression, and commanded confidence.
This I soon saw was of importance, for the story he now entered
upon was one calculated to make me forget my own errand and even
to question my own convictions.
The first intimation I received of the curious nature of his
communication was through the following questions, put to him by
the major:
"You are sure this gentleman is identical with the one pointed out
to you last night?"
"Very sure, sir.
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