"I do not intend to waste my time on that matter, Mr. Carver," replied Dora quietly, "nor yours either. The object of my visit is far more important. I have discovered who killed Mr. Edermont." If she hoped to astonish Mr. Carver by this speech, she was never more mistaken in her life. He did not display any surprise, but merely laughed and rubbed his dry hands together. "Have I, then, to congratulate you on gaining fifty thousand pounds?" he asked satirically. "You can judge for yourself, Mr. Carver," said Dora quietly; and then and there, without further preamble, she related the finding of the manuscript, the behaviour of Joad, and the evidence of the clock. Carver betrayed his interest by frequent raisings of his eyebrows, but otherwise remained motionless until the conclusion of her story. She might as well have been speaking to a stone. "And this manuscript," he asked; "have you it with you?" "Yes," Dora laid it on the table, "here it is. The story of Mr. Edermont's early life." "You have read it?" "No; not yet. I have not had time to do so. I have brought it in to read with Allen--that is, unless you require it." Carver thought for a moment, and shook his head. "No," he said in an amiable tone, "I do not require it at the present moment. I shall see Mr. Joad first, and then call on Dr. Scott to hear his and your report on this paper." "Do you think Mr. Joad is guilty?" asked Dora, replacing the manuscript in her pocket. "Circumstantial evidence is strongly against him," replied Mr. Carver cautiously, "but I shall reserve my opinion until I hear his story." "Do you think he will call on you?" "He told you that he intended to do so, Miss Carew." "Very true, Mr. Carver. All the same, he may have done so to save time. For all we know, he may design to go straight to the railway-station and catch the London express." "Oh, I can frustrate that scheme," said Carver, rising. "Mr. Joad's conduct is sufficiently suspicious to justify his detention on the ground of complicity, if not of actual guilt. A word to Inspector Jedd, and Mr. Joad will not get away by the express. Go and see Dr. Scott, my dear young lady, and leave me to deal with your friend." "You won't let him escape?" "No," said Carver dryly. "On the whole, I had rather you got the fifty thousand pounds than anyone else." And then he conducted Dora to the door with a courtesy he had never extended before to any female client, and at which his clerks were greatly astonished. Congratulating herself on having thus made all safe, Dora went to see Allen. He was still unwell, but felt better than he had done on the previous day. He was surprised at her visit, and gathered from her bright looks that she had something of importance to communicate to him. "What is it, Dora?" he asked anxiously; "good or bad news?" "Good! You are safe!" "Then you intend to marry Joad?" said Allen in a tone of despair.