“Was it then you gave him your flask?”
“Yes; he asked me for it, said his scuffle with the Jap had shaken him up and he needed a bracer.”
“Except for that, did his manner indicate excitement—terror, for instance?”
“It did not.”
McLane consulted the notes he had scribbled on a sheet before him, then asked, “You spoke of Dr. Shively having introduced you to Tilghman; where had you known Shively?”
“I met him in Panama and we made the trip to the States together. He had known Professor Norcross and Tilghman before, and they both appeared glad to see him when he joined them in the smoking car.”
“Had he arranged to meet them on that train?”
“I think not. They all expressed great surprise at the meeting,” Barclay rose. “I really must be going, doctor. I cannot take up any more of your time.”
“Just one more question—Did you see Shively while the train was at Atlanta?”
“No,” Barclay paused. “He and Norcross left the smoking car together just as the train drew into the station, and that was my last glimpse of them until they entered the smoker about half an hour before the dining car steward announced the first call for dinner.” As he finished speaking Barclay moved across the room, and the surgeon followed him.