"She became very excited again, and said:
"‘I found this in my father-in-law’s room. You have poisoned him! I will have you arrested!’
"I was fearful of scandal, for I am to be married to Mr. Rogers’ daughter, so I tried to calm her. I said I would do anything to hush up the ridiculous suspicion."
"Ah!" sighed Nick, and the doctor continued:
"When I said that she screamed:
"‘You are guilty, or you would not make such a proposition. But I have here the proofs of your villainous crime to get hold of Miss Rogers’ money at once.’
"This annoyed me, and I requested her to leave the house at once, which she did. She returned again, however, that same evening. The moment I saw her the idea entered my mind that she came to blackmail me, and I determined to humor her—to find out, if possible, who she was. She came fully prepared this time. She said that a private examination had been made by young Rogers and it was dis[Pg 43]covered that his father had been poisoned. There was an appearance of truth in this; for, after her first visit, I wanted to make a more critical examination of the body, and Sam refused to allow it. You see, Mr. Carter, I was in a very delicate position."
"I should say so!" said Nick.
"Therefore," added Dr. Lord, "I listened to her without offering a word of denial or assent. Her plans were very cleverly laid, you see. She said that if I would consent to sign a certain agreement, she would bind herself not to disclose the fact about the vial or any of the other evidence, which she said she had in her possession, that directly pointed to me as Mr. Rogers’ murderer. I asked time to consider, though I had not the slightest intention of permitting her to blackmail me. She consented, and gave me until yesterday morning, when, she said, her brother would call."
"And he did call?"