"Is not that word a trifle melodramatic ?" "Perhaps; but to my mind there is more melodrama in actual life than people fancy.

However, Mr.Link," added Lucian, "I have come to certain conclusions.

Firstly, that Berwin was in hiding; secondly, that he saw people secretly who entered in some way we cannot discover; and thirdly, that to solve the problem it will be necessary to look into the past life of the dead man." "Your third conclusion brings us round to the point whence we started," retorted Link.

"How am I to discover the man's past ?" "By learning who he is, and what is his real name." "An easy task," said the detective sarcastically, "considering the meagre material upon which we have to work.

And how is the business to be accomplished ?" "By advertisement." "Advertisement!" "Yes.