“Don’t be a fool,” Nancy said curtly. “And don’t pretend that the paper is of no great value to you. We know better than that, we who have it. You listen to me for half a minute and I’ll tell you just where you stand and what you must do.”
Lady Deland’s eyes drifted toward the mirror for an instant and she received from the listening detective a signal of assent.
“Well, I will hear you,” she replied, gazing at the crafty, determined face of her visitor.
What Nancy Selig had to say may easily be imagined, and she wound up her threatening remarks with the announcement that Lady Deland must pay ten thousand dollars for the return of the document and her letter to Senator Barclay, or that both would be sent to her husband the moment he returned to Washington.
Lady Deland played her part consistently, now and then receiving a signal from Nick, and evincing apprehensions that soon convinced Nancy Selig of her own ultimate success.
“All you need do is go with me and pay down the money,” she announced, at length. “When you return home, you’ll have the two papers.”
“But I haven’t so much money in the house,” Lady Deland protested.
“Draw it from the bank,” said Nance curtly. “There still is time.[{39}]”
“Where am I to go with you?”
“To a house a few miles from the city.”