"Are you sure?"
"I am certain. He died in Mr. Pallant's arms. Pallant has no reason to lie over that story."
"Then, if Carew did not kill Edermont, who did?"
"Ah," said Dora with a weary sigh, "that is just what we must find out, if only to save your life and prevent my marrying Joad."
"Dora," said Allen after a pause, "do you know why Pallant wanted that packet of letters?"
"Yes. He desired to confirm his possession of my mother. By threatening to show the letters to Sir John Burville, he hoped to get whatever money he wished."
"The scoundrel! What particular information did the letters contain to render them so valuable?"
"I don't know. Mr. Pallant hinted that they were about me."
"About you?" Allen reflected for a few moments. "Dora," he said at length, "I dare say those letters passed between your mother and your guardian after the tragedy at Christchurch. Probably they contained a full account of the crime, and details as to how your mother parted with you. In fact, I believe they contained a summary of Lady Burville's life. If Pallant had obtained those letters, no wonder he could have extorted money. If they had been shown to Sir John Burville, his wife--your mother--could have denied nothing. Her own handwriting would prove the falsity of her denial."
"I quite understand," said Dora; "but Mr. Edermont was wise enough to give them to my mother himself."