"Can you conjecture the motive for the crime, Mr. Pride?"
"I--am--afraid--not," said Pride slowly. "I knew Mr. Edermont well; but there was nothing in his past life likely to endanger his safety."
"He thought otherwise. Mr. Edermont was always haunted by the dread of a violent death."
"I knew that, Miss Carew. Monomania, my dear lady--monomania."
"It could not be monomania if it came true," said Dora impetuously.
"Why not?" replied Pride in an argumentative tone. "Monomania is the dwelling on one particular idea until it fills the thoughts and life of the thinker. Mr. Edermont may have had reason to suppose that his life was in danger; but the original cause may have passed away. Nevertheless, the habit may have continued; and so," added Pride with a shrug, "we may reasonably ascribe our friend's death to a creature of his imagination."
"Your argument is weak," replied Dora spiritedly. "Mr. Edermont believed that he would die a violent death, and what he believed came to pass. That does away with all your sophistries."
"But, Miss Carew, the cause of his fear was done away with before your guardian died."
"How do you know that?"
"Joad told me. We were discussing the possibility of the existence of this unknown enemy whom Mr. Edermont feared; and Joad mentioned that Mr. Pallant had set that fear at rest."