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Slightly observant of the smoky lights; of the people, pipe in

mouth, playing with limp cards and yellow dominoes; of the one

bare-breasted, bare-armed, soot-begrimed workman reading a

journal aloud, and of the others listening to him; of the weapons

worn, or laid aside to be resumed; of the two or three customers

fallen forward asleep, who in the popular high-shouldered shaggy

black spencer looked, in that attitude, like slumbering bears or

dogs; the two outlandish customers approached the counter, and

showed what they wanted.

As their wine was measuring out, a man parted from another man in

a corner, and rose to depart. In going, he had to face Miss

Pross. No sooner did he face her, than Miss Pross uttered a

scream, and clapped her hands.