“I might be able to hazard a shrewd guess, perhaps. Why do you want so much to know?”
Without answering, Monica propounded another question. “If he were mad, he would be much more dangerous, would he not?”
“Yes; and if really dangerous, could be placed under proper control.”
A look of relief crossed Monica’s face.
“Could that be done?”
“Certainly, if absolute madness could be proved. But you know in many cases this is most difficult to demonstrate; and in Fitzgerald’s independent position it might be exceedingly hard to get the needful evidence.”
Her face clouded again.
“But you will see him, Tom? You will try to find out?”
He hesitated a little. To tell the truth he did not care about the job. He had a hearty contempt for the man himself, did not attach much weight to Monica’s suspicions, and thought her fears far-fetched. But her pleading face prevailed.
“Well, Monica, if you particularly wish it, I will endeavour to meet him, and enter into a sort of speaking acquaintance. I don’t promise to force myself upon him if he avoids me pointedly, but I will do what I can in a casual sort of way to find out something about him. But it is not at all likely he will prove mad enough to be placed under restraint.”