"This may be of the greatest value. I beg of you to believe I am asking this question solely with a view to your interest."
He paused and looked earnestly at her for permission to go on.
She bowed.
"Have you any reason to think that the unfortunate event which has occurred might have been brought about by his own act?"
She moved her hands nervously in her lap.
"I am not sure that I understand you."
"There is nothing in your mind which could lead you to suppose he has committed suicide?"
She shuddered visibly and answered in a constrained whisper:
"Nothing--nothing whatever."
"Well, Mrs. Davenport, it will be absolutely necessary for us, in the face of the memorandum made on the leaf of his pocket-book, to have some theory of what took place. Can you suggest any theory?"