Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/139

 *fessional pride that resented intrusion, forbade his taking such a course.

For the twentieth time he asked:

"He certainly did a large amount of work at home and must have had papers connected with the work here?"

"Why, certainly," she said. "He always had a lot of professional papers here."

Trafford looked at her as if doubting whether he should ask the question that hung on his lips. But he must have facts, and here if anywhere was the information he needed. Could he trust the woman? Finally he came and stood over her chair, as if he was afraid of the walls even, and asked:

"Was this always his habit?"

"No," she answered; "not while the judge was living, and never indeed until about two years ago. Yes, it began about two years ago."

"It was not a habit learned from the judge, then?"

"Oh, no! Of course, he brought papers home at times, and so did Theodore; but he never kept them at home until within the last two years."