"I will, as we walk along. There is nobody in sight, is there?"
"Not a living being."
"We must be sure of that, as we proceed. Answer me, Mr. Leonard Paget. If I remove your step brother from your path--he is, after all, no relation to speak of--what will you give me?"
"You said something about a thousand pounds," said Leonard, his face growing white.
"Not enough. Not half enough."
"There is his wife also in the way, remember."
"Rubbish! She may die; the shock will probably kill her."
"But if it should not?"
"If--if--if--!" exclaimed Dr. Peterssen, impatiently. "There is no if in the case when two clever scoundrels like ourselves are in the game. Has he made a will?"
"I am sure he has not.