So threatening, the man arose and coolly buttoned his coat.
“You’re mad,” said the millionaire.
“Perhaps. I’m money mad, but I want to save you and yours. I don’t want to heap disgrace upon your wife and daughter. I don’t want to disgrace you and see your boy go to the chair. I don’t want to do anything of the kind, and I won’t if you pay me for the secret.”
Perhaps something told Perry Lamont that he was dealing with a desperate man, who, after all, might have the secret he spoke of, but it was such a terrible thing to think of that it chilled his blood.
“I’m a man of business. I want the check or your boy is exposed.”
“What is the crime?” asked Lamont.
“What did I say? They take life for murder only.”
“My son!—a murderer!”
“They will certainly lay hands on Claude if you don’t buy my silence.”
“In Satan’s name, who are you?”