I'd put him at forty years of age, and he was of a middle height, two or three inches shorter than you, sir.
He was dressed like a toff, and he had a black beard, cut square at the end, and a pale face.
I don't know as I could say more than that."
"Colour of his eyes?"
"No, I can't say that."
"Nothing more that you can remember?"
"No, sir; nothing."
"Well, then, here is your half-sovereign. There's another one waiting for you if you can bring any more information. Good-night!"
"Good-night, sir, and thank you!"
John Clayton departed chuckling, and Holmes turned to me with a shrug of his shoulders and a rueful smile.