* Gentlemanly: Jabez considers Spaulding a "very respectable young fellow" and finds him pleasant and polite.
* Hardworking: Jabez observes Spaulding working diligently at his "copying" business, often staying late into the night. He describes him as "never idle" and "a very industrious man."
* Quiet: Jabez notes that Spaulding is a quiet person, not given to much talk. He remarks that he "was a very quiet fellow."
* Trustworthy: Jabez finds Spaulding to be trustworthy and reliable. He confides in him about his financial struggles and seems to have no suspicion of his true identity.
* Loyal: Jabez believes Spaulding is loyal to him, even going so far as to suggest that Spaulding is "a bit too fond of me" after he discovers the truth.
However, this initial perception is ultimately wrong. Vincent Spaulding is not who he appears to be. He is actually the alias of Sherlock Holmes' accomplice, John Clay, who is involved in a complex plot to steal the valuable "Dancing Men" cipher.
This deceptive facade is crucial to the story, as it allows Clay to gain access to Jabez's shop and observe his activities while seemingly being an innocent tenant.