“I do,” said Nick. “I believe there is something more than a coincidence in the theft of this man’s body so soon after his supposed suicide. We must go deeper, however, before I can form a more definite opinion. Let’s have a look in the alley.” Nick found the gate unbolted and called Chick’s attention to it. “They did not delay to fasten it,” he remarked. “Ah, here is something of more significance! The body was taken away in a box.” “By Jove, that’s as true as death and taxes,” Chick agreed, after following Nick through the gate. “It also indicates, at least, that the persons who stole the body supposed Margate to be dead.” “It does appear so.” The earth in the alley was more damp than in the yard, and was of a grayish clay that readily retained an imprint. That which at once had caught Nick’s eye was that of a long box, such as caskets are inclosed in for burial. It had been placed on the ground, into which it had sunk just enough to leave a perfectly definite impression of its outlines, presumably when a heavy body was placed in it. Through the alley leading to the side street, moreover, were numerous footprints; but these were so intermingled and partly obliterated, like those in the yard, as to be of no great value. Crouching upon the ground, however, Nick made a discovery that would have escaped the observation of most men. It was hardly perceptible, but the keen eyes of the famous detective seldom missed anything out of the ordinary. “By Jove, here’s a remarkable clew,” said he, suddenly looking up. “I remember none like it.” “What do you mean?” “Look closer.” Nick pointed to the rectangular surface contained within the plainly discernible outlines of the box. “By gracious! there are some more faint marks on the damp clay,” said Chick, bending nearer. “Exactly,” Nick nodded. “What do you make of them?” “That side of the box that came next to the ground was marked with the ordinary ink and brush such as shippers use. There probably was an address marked on the box.” “And transferred to the clay?” “Precisely. The damp clay moistened the ink and has retained parts of some of the more heavily marked letters, chiefly the capital letters.” “I see.” “They are faint and much blurred, however, as well as reversed in position; but--yes, I am right. Here are two at the end of an address marked on the box.” “They look like two small letters, a ‘g’ and an ‘e,’” said Chick, twisting so as to view them better. “That’s correct,” said Nick, using his lens. “They are the final letters of the word college. Here is the loop of one ‘l’, also the larger curve of the capital ‘C.’” “By Jove, that’s very significant,” said Chick. “This may have been the crime of medical students who wanted a body for dissection.” “I begin to think so.” “Can you determine any of the other letters?”