Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/75

 "Thanks: but, in that event, what are you here for?"

"I can't let my beliefs or disbeliefs interfere with my investigation of facts. Here is something most unusual occurring, almost at the moment of the murder. It don't make any difference whether I believe it has anything to do with it or not. It's my business to know, and that's what I'm here to do."

"And if I say I've nothing to tell you?"

"The coroner's enquiry will be public, while mine may remain private."

"What do you want to know?"

"I simply want your assurance that your visit to Millbank had nothing to do, directly or remotely, with Theodore Wing."

"I can't see what value such an assurance can have. If I went there to hire somebody to shoot him, I should, of course, not hesitate to give you the assurance—and probably you wouldn't fail to find out the truth of the matter inside a week."

"That's my business," said Trafford. "If I'm