“All but five thousand, for which I think I can make arrangements to-morrow.”
“To-morrow,” Nick echoed. “That is your last day of grace, is it not?”
“Yes. I am to see Margate again to-morrow night.”
“Where?”
“Under the same conditions as before.”
“And he expects you to hand him the money?”
“He does. He insisted, in fact, that he would allow me only this one meeting; that he would, if the price is not paid to-morrow, at once take steps to sell the photographs abroad. He warned me that I would be constantly watched, and threatened to instantly end all negotiations with me if I confided in any one, or appealed for aid to the police. He mentioned you in particular, and threatened——”
“Never mind what he threatened,” Nick interrupted, with an ominous frown. “He shall have good cause to threaten me.”
“But consider my position, Nick,” Garland cried hopelessly. “I am placed——”
“I see just where you are placed,” Nick cut in again. “You have made the whole knavish business sufficiently plain. But I, Garland, now propose to take a hand in it.”