But they were even more astounded when Nick said:
"Everybody in this room knows, in part, a good deal of what I know concerning Mr. Rogers’ death, and the criminal events surrounding it; but not one of you can even guess all that I do know.
"In the first place, Mr. Rogers was not murdered.[Pg 60]
"Three people in this room knew, from the very beginning, that he was not murdered.
"These are Anita Moreno, Manuel Alvarez and the conspirator in chief, Moreno himself."
Had a thunderbolt fallen in the room it could not have caused more consternation and amazement.
Nick then continued, in the same cool manner:
"There was an intention to murder him, however; but luckily nature stepped in and claimed Mr. Rogers before this crime could be committed.
"This intended murder was planned by Moreno and was to have been executed by the woman, his wife, who is guilty of bigamy for entering into a marriage ceremony with Mr. Rogers.
"The plan was to incriminate Dr. Lord, and thus create a lever for blackmail.