"Did he read for her the clause connected with your sister losing her portion if she did not marry the doctor within six months?"
"Yes, sir—every word of it."
"What then?" asked Nick.
"She produced a written document, of which this is a copy."
Nick took the document and glanced it over. Turning to Rogers, he said:
"Do you know, sir, that this bond holds as good against your father’s estate, upon the production of the certificate of divorce, as if he had lived."
"Yes, I do."
"But you don’t seem to recognize that she can continue her blackmailing scheme all the same, without annulling this instrument. It is a clever document, Mr. Rogers—very clever. In fact, I do not believe the woman ever drew up such an instrument herself."
"Then what do you believe?"
"I cannot tell you just yet. But I want you to answer me one more question:[Pg 21] Did you have any conversation with her after your father signed that bond?"