"Mr. Marshall," she said, "if you do not consent I shall be compelled to go to your bondsman, withdraw from your bond and advise him to surrender you to the court."
Bill gasped. He swallowed. He stared.
"And I shall do it this very afternoon," said Mary.
"It isn't fair," he cried. "Why, you agreed——"
"I simply agreed not to say anything to your aunt," she reminded him, coldly. "And I shall not, of course. But I am entirely at liberty to go to your bondsman. If your aunt should happen to hear about it when they come to arrest you again, why that would be unfortunate. But it would be something that could not be helped."
Bill rose from his chair and leaned heavily on the table. He was red in the face and glaring, but his secretary did not even wince.
"You're threatening me!" he almost shouted.
Mary shrugged.
"It's blackmail, I tell you!"
"On the contrary, it will all be strictly according to law," said Mary with appalling calmness.