"When was this?"
"A few minutes after you and Mr. Allen went out."
"When you came back what was Carson doing?"
"He was at the desk, pretending to write."
"Was there anybody else here?"
"By Jove! yes," exclaimed Hardwick, suddenly.
"Ah! who?"
"I don't know, sir."
"A man?"
"Yes. Rather a common-looking fellow, about thirty-five years of age."