Page:The Mystery of a Hansom Cab.djvu/100

96 far away from unlike as it possibly can. Sometimes, however, Fate, who seems to take malignant pleasure in worrying humanity, throws them together, and the result is an eternal conflict between the uncongenial elements. Mr. Gorby was a very clever detective, and got on well with every one with the exception of Kilsip. The latter, on the other hand, was equally as clever in his own way, and was a favorite with everyone but Gorby. One was fire and the other water, so when they came together there was sure to be trouble. Kilsip, in his outward appearance, was quite different from Gorby, being tall and slender, whereas the other was short and stout. Kilsip was dark and clever-looking, Gorby was not, his face wearing a complacent and satisfied smile, which one would not expect to find on the features of a man who was looked upon as a clever detective. But it was this very smile that was Mr. Gorby's greatest aid in getting information, as people were more ready to tell a kindly and apparently simple man like him all they knew than a sharp-looking fellow like Kilsip, whose ears and eyes seemed always on the alert. The hearts of all went forth to Gorby's sweet smile and insinuating manner, but when Kilsip appeared every one shut up like an oyster, and each retired promptly into his or her shell like an alarmed snail. The face is not always the index of the mind, in spite of the saying to that effect, and the student of Lavater is not invariably right in his readings of character by means of the features. The only thing sharp about Mr. Gorby's appearance was his keen little gray eyes, which he knew how to use so well, and a glance from which startled any unsuspecting person who had been beguiled by the complacent smile and sweet manner. Kilsip, on the contrary, had one of those hawklike faces which always seem seeking for prey, with brilliant black eyes, hooked nose, and small, thin-lipped mouth. His complexion was quite colorless, and his hair jet black, so that with his tall, slender figure and snake-like movements he was hardly a pleasant object to look upon. He also possessed in a great measure the craft and cunning of the snake, and as long as he conducted his movements in secret was successful, but once he appeared personally on the scene his strange looks seemed to warn people that they might be too communicative. So,