Nick Carter knew that there was some truth in this, yet he said sternly:
“Don’t you be so sure of it, Kate Crandall. I can send you up for a term of years for conspiracy, abduction, and opposing officers of the law. If I don’t do so—there will be but one reason,” he added pointedly.
“What reason is that?” Kate demanded, with color fading.
“You have made an infernal fool of this man, and he knows it, now. I think he will behave himself in the future, and I’m going to give him a chance. I shall do so for the sake of his wife, who is as fine a woman as you are the reverse. I shall invent a story to account for all that has occurred, and shall send Cyrus Darling home to his wife. Neither she nor the public must know the truth. Your only hope, Kate Crandall, and that of your confederates, lies in your permanent secrecy.”
“I agree to that, Carter,” cried Kate quickly. “The truth shall never be told.”
“Does that go with you, Dacey?” Nick sternly demanded.
“You bet!” Dacey eagerly cried.[Pg 39]
“And you will silence Moran?”
“Silence him? You bet I’ll silence him—if I have to cut his tongue out.”
Nick turned to Cyrus Darling, who had sunk upon the nearest chair, with his head bowed in his hands.