Identity and Concealment

The mystery revolves around the dead man's hidden identity, the deliberate removal of identifying marks from his clothing, and the characters' efforts to conceal or discover true identities, as seen in the anonymous twenty-five pounds for burial and the false trail of Sorrell's supposed departure to America.

Danny Miller's gloves conceal his hands, and Grant's trick to remove them reveals no scars. The dead man's identity remains unknown, and Miller's memory of the victim is partial and elusive.

The anonymous sender uses block capitals and no fingerprints to hide their identity; Legarde initially conceals his knowledge of the murder out of fear.

Lamont's dual identity as Sorrell's friend and the Levantine is uncovered; Mrs. Everett's secretive actions suggest she is hiding knowledge.

Simpson adopts a false identity as an ex-serviceman to gather information; Grant pursues a suspect who may be using a false name.