If it were true, it meant most likely that he had been the victim of foul play, for that steamer was not scheduled to stop anywhere before reaching the Suez Canal.

As for the people on the ship knowing nothing about him they no doubt preferred not to talk to strangers.

That sort of news is easily kept under cover for a while.

Schillingschen grew angry at my silence, and changed his tactics.
"Where did he leave the ship ?" he shouted--suddenly--savagely.
I did not answer.

He came round to my side of the grave, and laid a heavy clenched fist on my shoulder.