"That is still a mystery, Jim, and, so far as I can see, is likely to remain one. I went to Athelstane Place, and I saw most of the witnesses who gave evidence at the inquest, but I could find out nothing new. I called at New Scotland Yard, but with no better result. The case remains exactly as it did when the man was buried."
"Has his name not been discovered?"
"No. Nor have his friends, if he had any, communicated with the police."
"Then you can't in any way connect Carson with the dead man?"
"In no way. Two parallel straight lines cannot meet. Carson's existence can have nothing to do with the unknown man who was murdered."
"I suppose you made no inquiries about Carson?"
"Well, yes, I did; and I found out something."
"Oh, come, that's better; I thought you said you had done absolutely nothing."
"Well, what I did learn is of so little moment, Jim, that it amounts to nothing. I called at the P. and O. office and inquired about Carson. The clerk I spoke to told me that I was the second man who had asked for him."
Aldean looked surprised. "Considering that Carson has no friend in England, that's curious. How long ago was the first inquiry made?"