"Bear it in mind, then," she said, sharply. "Now to business."
"Yes, ma'am, to business."
"My husband secured the inheritance, as you are aware, through the disappearance of his young cousin. And mighty well he managed it.
"But after he fell into ill health, and was given over by the doctors, he became a prey to superstitious fears, the result of his weakness, and at times experienced great regret for the hand he had in the abduction of the boy."
"You surprise me, ma'am. He wasn't that sort when I knew him."
"No; he was then in perfect health, and was bold and resolute. Ill health and the approach of death made him superstitious."
"You ain't that way, ma'am, I take it," said Rudolph, with a leer.
"No; I have a stronger will and greater resolution, I hope."
Her face did not belie her words. There was a cold look in her light-gray eyes, and a firmness in her closely-pressed lips, which made it clear that she was not likely to be affected by ordinary weakness. She was intensely selfish, and thoroughly unscrupulous as to the means which she employed to carry out her selfish ends.