I accept your statement in good faith, but I cannot corroborate it from my own knowledge." "That's queer," retorted Fogerty, his cold eyes fixed upon the man's face.
"Let me explain, please," said Smith, and related his curious experience in practically the same words he had employed when confiding it to Mr.
Merrick.

"I had hoped," he concluded, "that if ever I met one who knew me formerly, or heard my right name mentioned, my memory would come back to me; but in this I am sorely disappointed.

Did you know me well, sir ?" "Pretty well," answered the detective, after a slight hesitation.
"Then tell me something about myself.

Tell me who I was." "Here--in public ?" asked Fogerty, with a suggestive glance at the spectators, who had involuntarily crowded nearer.
Smith flushed, but gazed firmly into the faces surrounding him.
"Why not ?" he returned.

"These young ladies and Mr.Merrick accepted me without knowledge of my antecedents.