was a Melbourne man, too--and we can tell something about him. So we came
to you instead of the police. Because, Mr. Pawle, what we can tell is
maybe more a matter for a lawyer than for a policeman. It's mysterious."

"Gentlemen," said Mr. Pawle, "I'll be frank with you. I recognized your
names as soon as my clerk announced them. Here's a cablegram which I have
just received from Melbourne--you'll see your names mentioned in it."

The two callers bent over the cablegram, and Fosdick looked up and
nodded.

"Yes, that's right," he said. "We came over with John Ashton in the
_Maraquibo_. We knew him pretty well before that--most folk in Melbourne
did. But of course, we were thrown into his company on board ship rather
more than we'd ever been before. And we very much regret to hear of
what's happened to him."

"You say there is something you can tell?" observed Mr. Pawle. "If it's
anything that will help to solve the mystery of this murder,--for there
is a mystery,--I shall be very glad to hear it."

Fosdick and Stephens glanced at each other and then at Viner, who sat a
little in Mr. Pawle's rear.

"Partner of yours?" asked Fosdick.

"Not at all! This gentleman," replied Mr. Pawle, "is Mr. Viner. It was he
who found Ashton's dead body. They were neighbours."

"Well, you found the body of a very worthy man, sir," remarked Fosdick