"What I am about to disclose to you, you will promise to keep as secret as the grave?"
"I make no promise and must use my own judgment," replied Nick.
"Well, then, the woman whom you call Alvarez is my wife."[Pg 19]
"Your wife?" said Nick, with real surprise.
"Unhappily, it is so."
"I thought you said you were engaged to be married to Miss Bland?" interjected Nick.
"Yes, sir. But I shall have to explain everything to you. When I was in Florida last winter I met her. She was very beautiful, and threw herself in my way. I became infatuated, and one night, while slightly intoxicated, I consented to marry her secretly. Her brother, who was present, insisted upon the marriage taking place at once. I discovered a few days afterward that the brother was one of a gang of desperate gamblers. Ever since that night my life has been a misery."
"Have you lived with her?" asked Nick.
"No; but she has continually blackmailed me upon threat of making public the marriage. Finally I confessed to my father, who was urging me to marry Miss Bland—to whom I have been engaged for nearly three years. He sent for her, and asked her to put in writing the terms upon which she would consent to a divorce."
"When did this happen, Mr. Rogers?"