"But what about the paper taken out of the bureau?"
"If it was not destroyed," said Pallant, "it is hard to say what became of it. The manuscript, as we are told by the will, contained the story of Mr. Edermont's past life. Now, through Carew I know that story, and therefore the contents of that paper. Excepting Carew himself, I know no one who would have killed your guardian for the possession of that written information."
"But undoubtedly the murder was committed to gain possession of the manuscript."
"We don't agree on that point," said Pallant; "but granting for the sake of argument it was so, that is exactly why I can't name the assassin. If the possession of that paper was essential to his safety, if his name was mentioned in it in connection with the past of Mr. Edermont, I am ignorant of some of the past. Evidently Carew did not tell me all."
"It is just as well he did not," said Dora, curling her lip; "you have made bad use of what you do know."
"Oh, a man must live, you know," retorted Pallant coolly, as he rose to take his leave. "I prefer to get money without work, if I can. We all do."
"I'll put a stop to your----"
"Quite right," was the insolent answer, "if you can; but you see, my dear young lady, you can't."
After which remark Pallant bowed himself out of the room. Dora accompanied him as far as the gate, and as he passed through she asked him a question which had been in her mind all the time of the interview. "Why did you come down here?" she asked abruptly. "It was not to condole with me."
"No, it wasn't," candidly admitted Pallant; "but I want fifty thousand pounds, and I thought you might help me to get it."