“Carter, have you read that dossier very carefully?”
“Yes.”
“Have you taken careful account of the number of fatalities to others that have followed in her wake wherever she has gone?”
“Yes.”
“Very well. There is one thing which is not written down in words upon that record, and it is to that I now call your attention.”
“What is it, chief?”
“I have said that we have never been able to prove anything against your Juno. The principle reason for that is that in every case where it has been supposed that she could no longer escape us, death by violence, self-inflicted, or otherwise, has removed the person, or persons, whose testimony might have convicted her. Does that statement convey an idea to you, Carter?”
“Yes. You mean to tell me, in that roundabout fashion, that if Juno suspects that I am on her track my own life is in danger. Is that it?”
“My dear fellow, I am speaking only in generalities; you may call it superstition if you like; but fatalities have pursued those who have been inimical to the peace and liberty of that woman. Whether it is the result of coincidence or of design, I am not prepared to say; but if I were on that woman’s trail and had unearthed anything which could be used against her, and knew that she suspected it, I would make my will and all arrangements for a sudden taking off, confidently expecting that death might overtake me at any moment.”