My twin-brother Bartholomew and I were the only children.
"I very well remember the sensation which was caused by the disappearance of Captain Morstan.

We read the details in the papers, and, knowing that he had been a friend of our father's, we discussed the case freely in his presence.

He used to join in our speculations as to what could have happened.

Never for an instant did we suspect that he had the whole secret hidden in his own breast,--that of all men he alone knew the fate of Arthur Morstan.
"We did know, however, that some mystery--some positive danger--overhung our father.

He was very fearful of going out alone, and he always employed two prize-fighters to act as porters at Pondicherry Lodge.