"Did you kill Mr. Edermont?" she asked abruptly. Joad looked at her in amazement, and sneered in her face.
"O Lord! Have you got that idea into your head?" said he contemptuously. "No, Miss Carew, I did not kill Mr. Edermont. One does not readily kill the goose with the golden eggs. By Julian's death I have lost a protector--almost a home. Do you take me for a fool?"
"I take you for a man who knows more than he says," said Dora tartly.
"Then I am wise. I keep my own counsel until the time comes for me to speak."
"I do not understand you."
"You will some day," retorted Joad with a leer, "and that sooner than you expect. I wonder at your accusing me of this crime," he continued in an injured tone. "By your own evidence the murder took place at one o'clock, and at that time I was talking to Mr. Pride in my cottage. I wonder at your talking like this, Miss Carew."
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Joad," said Dora ceremoniously. "I know that you proved an alibi. There is one thing about you that I admire," she added, after a pause.
Joad's eyes glittered like stars as he turned an admiring glance in the direction of the young girl, and bent forward eagerly.
"What is that?" he demanded.
"You do not care for money."