"I might say by magic, but you would not believe that. I always suit myself to the nature of those I meet, therefore I shall give a commonplace explanation. I saw you in Court, when you gave evidence during the trial of Miss Chent for murder."
Prelice nodded. "I might have guessed that. Do you know why I have come?"
Madame Marie folded her hands calmly before her, and replied equally calmly. "You have come to solve the secret of the murders."
"That is a very clever guess, and I rather think that you can solve the secret, Madame."
"Why should you think so?" she asked with absolute calmness.
"You gave the Sacred Herb to Sir Oliver."
"I did. The Sacred Herb of Easter Island—but I need not explain to you, since you heard what Dr. Horace said in Court. The herb induces trances, and Sir Oliver wished to go into a trance by its aid. I therefore gave him a few twigs."
"Why did Sir Oliver wish to go into a trance?"
"He desired to explore the Astral Plane, if you understand that——"
"I quite understand; I have studied Theosophy. Well?"