"Self-defence!" he exclaimed forcibly. "Was there any trouble? If there will be any–"
But Rex checked him with an eloquent glance, reproving the professional instinct.
"There will be no trouble in that way," he quietly observed. "Morris witnessed the struggle and the outcome from an upper peak, but he died on his return to Samson Creek without informing anyone but his wife. Maud Morris followed me from Dawson, and to-night threatened to expose me."
"How to-night?" Trascott wonderingly asked.
"She was the Mahatma woman–the theosophist, at Lord Rowland's!"
The curate and the lawyer uttered simultaneous exclamations of helpless astonishment. Revelations were coming with such amazing rapidity and dramatic unexpectedness that speech failed the two men.
"She did not succeed in her intended intimidation," Rex said, "but she unwittingly taught me the true course to pursue in regard to this case."
"I trust that you had already recognized the true course," burst out Trascott, in an excess of eagerness.
"I too trust that same thing," Ainsworth hastened to add.
"Contrition!" said the curate.