"Yes, Miss Carew, I can admit that much: I knew Mr. Edermont."
"Was that when you were Allen's nurse?"
"Yes, Miss Carew."
"In the service of Allen's parents?"
"I was in the service of Dr. and Mrs. Scott," replied Mrs. Tice composedly. "Pray don't ask me any more questions, Miss Carew, for I cannot answer them."
"You will not, you mean," said Dora, rising. "Never mind, I have found out something from the little you have told me."
Mrs. Tice looked up quickly.
"Impossible," she said anxiously. "I have revealed nothing."
"Oh, I can put two and two together, Mrs. Tice," said Dora quietly. "Allen told me that his parents lived in Christchurch, Hants--that his father and mother are buried there. Now, if you knew Mr. Edermont while you were nursing Allen, Mr. Edermont must have lived, or have been on a visit, at Christchurch. Consequently, if I go down to Christchurch I shall learn something of Mr. Edermont's past life."
Mrs. Tice fell into the skilfully-laid trap.