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270 asserted itself in either the second or the third generation."

"I have been told that Mrs. Lorne possessed an almost maniacal temper," Odell observed. "I am quoting the exact words used. One or two of her children have inherited it from her to a certain extent, have they not?"

"Stuff and nonsense!" the attorney responded testily. "They are merely high-spirited, like their mother; and she was an exceptionally brilliant woman. I was reluctant to mention the old gentleman to you or discuss the matter in any way. Sergeant, for I feared you might fly off at this tangent. Old Mr. Meade's malady was not of the sort which is transmitted."

"Just what form did his mania take, Mr. Titheredge?"

"It was intermittent. For weeks he would be as seemingly sane as anyone and even played a remarkably good game of chess; I spent many an evening with him. Then wholly without warning he would become violent, and physical restraint would be necessary to prevent his doing harm to himself and others. Remember, however, that this trouble did not come upon him until late in life, many years after his children were born. If you try, Sergeant, to account for this terrible sequence of events by any inherited taint in the family, you will not only be wasting your time but fostering a totally unjust suspicion upon these innocent children. I can assure you that no curse has descended upon the third generation in this case."

Titheredge rose with an air of finality, and the detective walked with him to the door.

"Doubtless you are right, Mr. Titheredge; but in an affair of this sort where there seems to be no possible motive, no