“What did he agree to pay you?”
“The usual fee.”
“How much money have you at the present moment in your possession?”
This question staggered her. Nick saw at once by her manner that the enormous fee she had exacted for this murderous work was then in her pocket or concealed somewhere about her clothing.
She hesitated to reply.
“Don’t go to the trouble of lying,” said Nick. “I shall have you searched anyway.
“Now, madam, let me lay the case before you. You believe that that woman was stabbed by the notorious criminal, Doc Helstone, or by his order.
“You think that she possesses the secrets of Helstone’s real identity. You tried to extort his real name from her, in her delirium and agony, fiend that you are!
“You believe that the person who hired you was Doc Helstone himself, and you wish to get a new hold upon him, or rather to be able to find him when you wish to. That’s your case in a nutshell.”
Hardened as this creature was, she shook with fear while the secrets of her heart were being read by Nick’s unerring eye.