“I beg your pardon,” said the man, as he complied.
He was very tall,—more than six feet in height. He was dressed in a suit of shiny black; his coat was buttoned tightly and the collar was turned up. The most noticeable part of his costume was a broad-brimmed straw hat. He wore no overcoat and his hands were ungloved.
“Gentlemen, I must beg pardon for this intrusion, but I used to live in these parts many years ago, and I am here to inquire whether any of my family are awaiting the return of a long-lost relative.”
Abner nudged Mr. Strout and said in a whisper: “That's the feller.”
“What might your name be?” asked Mr. Benoni Hill in his genial manner.
“I have occupied many stations in life, and whether high or low have always assumed a cognomen to match my position.”
“A cog what?” asked Bill Cobb in a voice so low that he thought only his brother Jim could hear; but his question reached the stranger's ear.
“By cognomen I mean a desirable alias or a characteristic appellation.”
This explanation gave rise to a chorus of “Oh's.”
“Kerzactly,” remarked Benoni, and then all laughed.