But this was not Bellingham's case.
He was a wealthy bachelor with an engrossing interest in life, free to go whither he would and to do whatsoever he wished.

Why should he disappear?
The thing is incredible.
"As to his having lost his memory and remained unidentified, that, also, is incredible in the case of a man who had visiting-cards and letters in his pocket, whose linen was marked, and who was being inquired for everywhere by the police.

As to his being in prison, we may dismiss that possibility, inasmuch as a prisoner, both before and after conviction, would have full opportunity of communicating with his friends.
"The second possibility, that he may have died suddenly and been buried without identification, is highly improbable; but, as it is conceivable that the body might have been robbed and the means of identification thus lost, it remains as a possibility that has to be considered, remote as it is.
"The third hypothesis, that he may have been murdered by some unknown person, is, under the circumstances, not wildly improbable; but, as the police were on the look out and a detailed description of the missing man's person was published in the papers, it would involve the complete concealment of the body.

But this would exclude the most probable form of the crime--the casual robbery with violence.

It is therefore possible, but highly improbable.
"The fourth hypothesis is that Bellingham was murdered by Hurst.