"What you want?" demanded the man in a thick, guttural voice.
"Does Mr. Isaac Coffran live here?"
"Yes. What name?"
"Duncan. Mr. Bruce Duncan."
The huge man removed his bulk from the doorway and motioned for Bruce to enter. He stepped into a dimly lighted hallway, and the man closed the door and bolted it.
"Wait here," he said, indicating a chair.
The big attendant went up the stairs at the end of the hall. Duncan waited several minutes. Then he heard Isaac Coffran calling him from the head of the steps.
"Come up, my boy," were the old man's words.
Isaac Coffran seemed greatly pleased as he shook hands with Bruce Duncan in the upper hallway. He ushered his visitor into a comfortable sitting room at the back of the house.
"Well, boy," said the old man, smiling and rubbing his hands with satisfaction, "I have your uncle's letters all waiting for you."