“I should charge you with conspiracy, Mr. Rugg. You’d find it uphill work fighting me, without influence and without money.”
“Then, if there ain’t no danger from me or the boy, why do you want me to put him out of the way?”
Mrs. Middleton hesitated.
I may as well tell you,” she said. “I take it for granted you will keep the matter secret.”
“Of course I will.”
“Then it is this: I married Mr. Harvey Middleton to secure a home and a position. I didn’t love him.”
“Quite right, ma’am.”
“He had no reason to complain of me, and when he died he left me in charge of the estate.”
“For the boy?”
“Yes, for the boy, and this has given me trouble.”