Mallow stared. "What on earth put such a wild idea into your head?" he said. "I don't know; nor do I know why you should be so ready to call it wild. The man who was killed came from India--as you say----" "I don't say so. It is the theory of the _Morning Planet_." "It is just possible that it might be Carson, seeing that he hasn't turned up at Casterwell," continued Aldean, not heeding Mallow's interruption. "Really, Jim, I didn't credit you with such a vivid imagination." "Oh, of course it's merely an idea, Mallow. But what strikes me is that if Carson arrived two weeks ago, he certainly ought to have put in an appearance at Casterwell before this, if only out of curiosity to see his future wife." "My dear fellow, Carson may need a kit before he calls on Miss Bellairs. He surely would wish to create a good impression, and I don't suppose he would present himself in sandal-wood scented clothes." "I never said he would. But even so, that wouldn't take him a fortnight." Mallow leaned back and pinched his chin reflectively. He had no great faith in his friend's prognostications, still he could not help being struck by the suggestion coupling Carson with the victim of Athelstane Place. It was certainly queer that this man from India should be two weeks in England without fulfilling the very object for which his journey had been made. He had arrived in the _Pharaoh_ on the 24th of June the murder had been committed on the 26th, yet so far he had not presented himself at Casterwell. The prime facts certainly coincided. It was very odd; Mallow could not deny that. "But the idea is incredible," he said aloud. "Hundreds of men arrive from India every week; besides, Carson never was in England in his life--Miss Bellairs told me so. Why should he be murdered immediately on his arrival--where was the motive? You have found a mare's nest, Jim." "I dare say," replied Aldean, stolidly: "it's a bare idea." "A very wild and a very absurd one, my boy. There is nothing to connect the sandal-wood man (as you call him) with Carson." "Perhaps not, Mallow. But if Carson does not turn up soon I shall begin to think that my idea is not so ridiculous as you say." "If he does not turn up," repeated Mallow with emphasis, "that's just it, but he will turn up if it is only to take from me the only girl I ever really cared about--a trite saying no doubt, but a true one in this case." "Every fellow says the same thing," said Aldean, as the train slowed down into Reading Station. "Here we are."