There was a long silence and then the girls heard Old Herman say in a weary voice:
"How much do you want?"
"I thought you would be reasonable in the matter," the other returned triumphantly. "I understand that my mother left an estate of eighty thousand dollars."
"It was a great deal less than that," Old Herman muttered.
"Not wishing to be too hard on you I'll settle for an even fifty thousand dollars," Walter Crocker went on.
"Fifty thousand dollars," the old man groaned. "It's robbery."
"You forget that I am entitled to the entire estate. It was you who robbed me. Well, do you agree?"
"You must give me time to raise the money."
"I'll expect a first installment in exactly one week from today," Walter Crocker said firmly.
"I'll pay it only on one condition," replied the old man with rising spirit. "You must deliver to me the packet of letters. Otherwise I'd be blackmailed out of every penny I own."