This was the tenth time this question, with sundry variations, had been put to Wallion, but he remained quite unruffled, and answered:
"It is a most extraordinary one ... I have already said I consider it remarkable."
"Just so, but did she tell us the truth? Who on earth is this Doctor Corman, with his sarcastic, satanic countenance?" said Tom. "Maybe he has forced her to ... to..."
"Tell lies? No, her story is incontrovertible, and as far as she knows, perfectly true," said Wallion, leaning forward as he continued:
"But that does not prevent the doctor's demeanor from seeming rather singular. I have just got hold of an interesting tale about their journey from New York to Gothenburg. They traveled on this very boat; Elaine went second class, the Doctor and his sister first class, but did he know then that the fugitive he was pursuing was so near ... or did he not? Again, how could fugitive and pursuer travel in the same train from Gothenburg to Stockholm without noticing one another?"
"Well, that might be possible."
"It might be possible, but it is not likely. People meet so easily on board ship; for instance, I myself am already acquainted with all our fellow passengers, both first and second class, in every detail."
Tom burst out laughing.
"And did you find out anything?"
"Yes, I heard who else of those on board her now traveled by this liner on her last voyage to Sweden."