"Abingdon? I do not know him." Virdow reflected a moment.
"Abingdon was the name by which Edward knew John Morgan in Europe. They met annually and were inseparable companions."
"John Morgan—our John Morgan?"
"Yes. I am told he was very eccentric, and this was probably a whim. But it enabled him to study the character of his relative. He seems to have been satisfied, and who wouldn't?"
"You astound me. I had never heard that John Morgan went to Europe. I did hear that he went annually to Canada, for the summer months; that is all."
"Edward never knew of the connection until he came here and saw a picture of John Morgan, drawn by Gerald. We both recognized it instantly." Evan was silent, thinking upon this curious information. At last he asked:
"Was Edward Mr. Morgan's only intimate companion?"
"The only one."
"Did you ever hear why Mr. Morgan concealed his identity under an assumed name?"
"No. We did not connect Abingdon with John Morgan until letters were returned with information that Abingdon was dead; and then Gerald drew his picture from memory."