"He fancied people had formed a conspiracy against him, and that their design was to rob him first and then murder him."
Her enunciation was particularly distinct, her face impassible.
"This is most vital," he said. "Indeed it may explain much that now sorely needs explanation. You no doubt often had the opportunity of seeing him labouring under these ailments?"
"No--never. He has not had an attack since we were married."
"Well, we must only do the best we can. Do you know if there is anything like insanity in his family?"
Pringle felt no little disappointment that she could not personally testify to the disease; but he was resolved to make the most of it.
"I am not aware that there is anything which could be called insanity in the family. His brother is decidedly odd, and Mr. Davenport was odd at times. For instance, as I told you, he would never bring old servants into a new house. There were other little traits--some theories he had about betting on horses, and which I do not understand, but which I have been told were at least fanciful."
Pringle's curiosity was aroused. Outside his profession the thing in which he took most interest was horse-racing.
"I am not sure that it can be of any consequence; but if you could remember it, I should like to know what that peculiarity in betting was."
"I am not quite sure," she said; "but I have an indistinct recollection he made it a rule never to bet on any horse the name of which began with a letter lower down in the alphabet than 'N.'"