‘I’m afraid you did not present a very promising appearance,’ said Konrad, and found himself surveyed with the same keen curiosity with which he was examining Balandin. The man had the weathered face of one given to striding about outdoors a great deal, and could not be below forty-five or so years of age. He stood with proud posture and even a faint air of menace; some very tall men sought to mitigate the effects with a slight stoop, but Mr. Balandin clearly took pleasure in looming over all those around him. Especially Konrad, perhaps. His narrowed eyes were steely in expression.
‘Not fine enough for your servants, am I?’ said Balandin. ‘I don’t see what is wrong with my appearance.’
Nor did Konrad, in truth, for nothing in his attire seemed amiss. But his manner — nothing about that s
