"Now look carefully at this body and tell me if you recognize it as that of anyone you know." The boy looked at the dead man attentively for some moments and then answered: "Yes, sah." "Who is he?" "I dunno his name, sah; he wouldn't send up his card." "Have you seen him often?" "No, sah; just dat once." "When was that?" "Tuesday ebenin', sah." "At what time?" "It was a quarter to ten, 'zactly." "How are you so sure of the exact time?" the Coroner asked, in some surprise. "'Cause I thought it mighty late to call on a lady, and so I looked at de clock when I come down." "Do you remember his ever calling on Miss Derwent before?" "Why, sah, 'twasn't Miss Derwent he was calling on; 'twas Mrs. Atkins." This was a surprise; even the detective seemed interested. "So it was Mrs. Atkins he had been calling on," exclaimed the Coroner. "No, sah; it were Mrs. Atkins he gwine ter call on. He only come at a quarter to ten. He wouldn't send up his card; said he's 'spected." "And did Mrs. Atkins receive him?" "Yes, sah." "Do you remember at what time he left?" "No, sah; I didn't see him go out." "Now, Joe, there was another gentleman calling in the building on that evening. When did he leave?" Joe seemed bewildered. "I didn't see no other gem'man, sah." "Now, my lad, try and remember!" "No, sah; I dun saw no one else. Mr. Stuart, he come in at ten----" "No, no; it is a tall, dark gentleman, slightly resembling the corpse, that we want to hear about." "I see no such party, sah." "Didn't a gentleman answering to this description call here at about half-past six and ask for a lady?" "I couldn't say, sah; I wa'n't in de building at dat time." "Did you see Miss Derwent on Tuesday?" "Yes, sah; I seen her arrive." "Didn't you see her go out again?" "No, sah." "How long were you out?" "I went out at six, sah, and stayed till eight, or maybe later." "So you persist in saying that the only stranger you saw enter or leave the building on Tuesday evening, was the deceased?" "Yes, sah." "And you are quite sure that you are not mistaken in your identification?" "Yes, sah; I noticed him partic'lar." "What made you notice him particularly?" The lad hesitated. "Out with it," said the Coroner. "Well, sah, he seemed like he been drinking." "How did he show it?" "He talked loud and angry, sah." "Do you know what he was angry about?"