"Two days only before the Pharaoh arrived."
"Did you ask what kind of man he was who inquired for him?"
"Yes; a black-haired, black-bearded man, shabbily dressed. He wished to know if Carson was on the Pharaoh, and if so, when he would arrive. The clerk showed him the name of Angus Carson in the passenger list, and told him that the boat was due on July 24th."
"Did this man ever return?"
"No; he thanked the clerk and left the office. That was the last seen of him."
"He gave no name?"
"Of course not," said Mallow, peevishly. "Why should he give his name in connection with so simple an inquiry? You can see now for yourself that this information amounts to practically nothing. It neither proves nor disproves Carson's identity, and it certainly does not in any way connect him with the murder."
"Still, the mere fact of Carson's being inquired for is strange, when we know that he has not a single friend in England," said Jim, reflectively; "before his arrival, too. That is even more strange."
Mallow shook his head. "I thought of that myself," he said, "but it does not help us in any way."
"It certainly cannot assist us towards circumventing this wedding. I see you are going to it," running his eye over Jim.