"Blackmail is an ugly word, Beth. But it shouldn't be blackmail, if silence is the price of getting what really belongs to you. McGuire is using your money—and he must give it to you. It's your money—not his. If he won't give it to you of his own free will, he will give it against his will."
"But how can you make him do that?" asked Beth timidly.
"By saving him from Hawk Kennedy. That's my price—and yours."
"But how can you?"
"I don't know. I've got to fight Kennedy with his own weapons—outwit him. And I've thought out a plan——"
"But he's dangerous. You mustn't take any further risks with a man like that for me."
Peter only smiled.
"It will amuse me, Beth. And besides——" He bent forward to tend the fire, his face immediately grave again. "Besides—I think I owe you that, now."
She understood what he meant and thrilled gently. Her joy had come back to her with a rush. All through the music lesson and through the recital of the tale of mystery she had hung breathlessly on his words and watched the changing expression on his features as he talked into the fire. This was her Mr. Nichols who was speaking now, her friend and mentor, who wanted her to understand that this was his way of atonement. But she ignored his last remark, to Beth the most important of the entire conversation.
"How—how much will the—the money amount to?" she asked timidly.