He seemed to be in a perfect agony of mental torture.
Suddenly he stood up, and, facing Moreno, he said:
"If she dares to do such a thing, I would expose the whole affair."
"Have a care, Mr. Rogers," said the Cuban, fiercely. "Don’t go too far."
"I defy both you and her!" cried Rogers, who was now very excited.
It evidently did not suit Moreno’s plans to quarrel seriously with his companion.
He immediately changed his tactics and said:
"If Anita gave you a release to-morrow, how much would you pay for it?"
"To-morrow? Why, that’s impossible! But, see here, Moreno. If Mr. Carter arrests the doctor upon his own responsibility, I shall not interfere. That is all I can or will do in this direction. But I am[Pg 50] willing to guarantee Anita one hundred thousand dollars, to be paid after my marriage with Miss Bland, if she produces a decree of divorce before it. It is utterly useless to annoy me further."
"We will force you to do this!" hissed Moreno.