He hits the standing man at a point just above the heel, bringing him to the ground.

The light was vague here, and the forms of the standing men cast long shadows on the floor.

The man inside had his carbine aimed at where a standing man's chest would be.

"We should not have come here, my lord," said the other standing man.

A metal reading stand, high enough for use by a standing man and empty now, waited near the center of the room.

The standing man had turned his head toward her at her motion.

This time, the muffled noise was almost beneath the feet of the standing men.

The standing man saw it; he turned toward the opening.

His people looked at him and back at the standing man.

Seated near the standing man was a woman in evening gown.