we do not identify the
dead we cannot hope to trace the murderer. How the wretch got into the
house is more than I can discover."

"It is strange," admitted Lucian thoughtfully, "yet in some secret way
people were in the habit of entering the house, and Berwin knew as much;
not only that, but he protected them from curiosity by denying that they
even existed."

"I don't quite follow you, Mr. Denzil."

"I allude to the shadows on the blind, which I saw myself a week before
the murder took place. They were those of a man and a woman, and must
have been cast by bodies of flesh and blood. Therefore, two people must
have been in Berwin's sitting-room on that night; yet when I met Berwin
who was absent at the time--he denied that anyone could have entered his
house without his knowledge. More, he actually insisted that I should
satisfy myself as to the truth of this by examining the house."

"Which you did?"

"Yes, but found nothing; yet," said Lucian, with an air of conviction,
"however the man and woman entered, they were in the house."

"Then the assassin must have come in by the same way; but where that way
can be, or how it can be found, is more than I can say."

"Does the landlord know of any secret passages?"

"No; I asked him," replied the detective, "but he stated that houses
nowadays were not built with secret passages. When Berwin denied that
anyone was in the house, was he afraid, Mr. Denzil?"

"Yes, he seemed to be nervous."

"And he told you he had enemies?"

"He hinted that there were people who wished to see him dead. From the
way he spoke and the language he used I am satisfied that he was hiding
from the vengeance of some one."

"Vengeance!" repeated Link, raising his eyebrows. "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 t