"It might not have been worthless to the assassin," objected Dora; "it contained the story of Mr. Edermont's past life."
"But what has his past life to do with his violent death?"
"Everything. You forget that Mr. Edermont believed himself to be a threatened man."
"And so we get back to the starting-point of our argument!" laughed Pride.
Dora laughed also; and, finding that they were arguing in a circle, changed that particular line of conversation.
"You knew Mr. Edermont well?" she asked, after a pause.
"Yes--for quite fifteen years. He was very good to me, and helped me to the post I now hold."
"Did you know Mr. Edermont at Christchurch?"
"Christchurch?" repeated Pride slowly. "No; I did not know him then. Did he live there?"
"I believe so," said Dora curtly, and closed the conversation.