“Naturally.�
“And was greatly shocked by it, I have no doubt.�
“She admitted as much as that;� again there was that note of grimness in the reply.
“I suppose, quite naturally, it was a more or less delicate topic with you, Mr. Lynne.�
“Yes; it was. Still, I got over it, you know;� and this time there was a short, hard laugh, which the detective thought entirely out of place.
“The very fact of your recent illness, and your near approach to death, no doubt drew her to you as nothing else would have done.�
“I really think that that is the explanation of it all, Carter.�
“And then, too, having been much at your house—for she used to be quite friendly with Edythe, did she not?—there was not so much difference in their ages as to preclude that—she doubtless had some sort of acquaintance with that cousin of yours who was your valet, and who died?â€�
“Naturally.�
“She remembered him, of course?�