"You only know one-half of their scheming, doctor. But they are clever. They wished to make certain of at least one person from whom they could levy tax. However, the question of Mr. Rogers death must be sifted to the end, and if young Rogers is in any way implicated, I may need your assistance."
"You shall have it if it is necessary. But it strikes me, Mr. Carter, that the first thing to be ascertained is, was Mr. Rogers murdered?"
CHAPTER VIII.
A CRUEL POSITION.
"I shall settle that question," said Nick. "It was I who found the point of the hypodermic syringe imbedded in Mr. Rogers’ wrist. It was undoubtedly broken off to complete the blackmailing scheme and attract suspicion to you. It was for that same reason the broken syringe was left here."
"That must be so," said the doctor, "and if he was murdered, it must have been by that woman."
"In my profession we do not jump at[Pg 46] conclusions so hastily," said Nick, evading the doctor’s remark.
Dr. Lord laughed at this sally, and Nick took up his hat as if about to leave.
"Before you go, Mr. Carter, can you tell me what was the appearance of the wrist in the locality where the syringe point was imbedded?"
"Yes. I observed it very carefully. Where the point lay, underneath the skin, the color was normal—except that one could detect the needle-like piece of silver, upon very close observation. But it was not that which first attracted my attention."
"What was it?" asked the doctor, who seemed to be intensely interested.