Chapter VII: Dr. Lord Astounded

That the mystery connected with Mr. Rogers’ death was not known by the son, Nick was now convinced.

His visit to Worcester had been very fruitful, however, and the great detective returned to Boston armed with facts that he knew would soon enable him to unravel that mystery.

From Anita’s passionate exclamations about himself, he learned that the Moreno gang would endeavor to get him out of the way, and he smiled grimly as he said to himself:

"They have a big contract on their hands."

A few minutes later he rang the bell at Dr. Lord’s door and handed the domestic one of his cards containing his real name and profession.

When the doctor made his appearance and saw Nick, he said:

"You have come early for your vial. But I must ask you to wait some little time, as a gentleman from New York has just called."

"Nick Carter?" interjected Nick.

The doctor started.

"How do you know that?" he asked.

Nick arose from his seat, took another card from his pocket, and, handing it to his bewildered companion, said:

"I am Nick Carter."

"You!" exclaimed the doctor, who dropped into an arm-chair and looked at his visitor with astonishment. "Why, Mr. Carter, you are just the man I wanted to see. I was about to telegraph for you. I am in serious trouble."

"I dare say it is about the Rogers murder case," said Nick.

The doctor was again astounded.

When he recovered his equanimity, he said:

"And the surgical instrument maker scheme--what was the meaning of that, Mr. Carter?"

"I cannot explain to you, sir, why I adopt certain methods which I find necessary to employ in the business of my profession. It will, however, answer your question sufficiently to inform you that my adoption of the role of surgical instrument maker was connected with this same case concerning which you telegraphed for me. And now, sir, will you be good enough to state your business?"

"You seem to have divined it already."

"Then you do not require my services?"

"You have so surprised me, Mr. Carter, that I scarcely know what to say."

Nick was watching him narrowly.

"Shall I tell you what you want me for?" he asked.

"It would not surprise me one bit if you could. But, Mr. Carter, let me ask you one question: What do you know about the woman Alvarez?"

"Everything."

"Everything?"

"Yes, doctor. And now will you tell me what you know about her?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Perhaps I had better explain," said the doctor. "On the morning after Mr. Rogers’ death--some time after Dr. White and I had made our examination of the body, the woman Alvarez called. She insisted that she was Sam Rogers’ wife."

"Yes, they were married," interrupted Nick.

"Really?"

"Yes. But go on."

"She appeared to be terribly excited. She said she had evidence that her father-in-law did not die of heart disease. I assured her that she was mistaken. Whereupon she took from her pocket a little vial similar to the one which I asked you to allow me to examine yesterday."

Nick was all attention.

The fruit was ripening fast, and he firmly believed that it would very soon be ready to pluck.

"I analyzed the contents," continued the doctor. "I discovered that it was indeed a terrible poison."

"What did the woman say when she showed you the vial?" asked Nick.

"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 discovered 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?"

"Yes."

"I know it. I saw him."

Dr. Lord really felt uncomfortable. He could not understand why or how Nick knew so much about the affair, unless it was that he was watching him. However, he continued:

"He brought with him the copy of an agreement. I told him that I could not decide just then, but that, in any event, I would not sign the agreement as it then stood. I wanted to see just how far he would go."

"Bravo!" interrupted Nick. "Did he leave a copy of the document with you?"

"No. I was just starting for Mr. Rogers’ funeral, and he promised to come for my answer at ten o’clock to-day."

"He won’t be here," said Nick. "But I have heard enough, doctor. What do you wish me to do?"

"I want to be protected from this gang of blackmailers, but I do not want it made public."

"If young Rogers knows of it, it will be hard to hide the affair," said Nick. "I shouldn’t be surprised if he did, if that woman is his wife."

Dr. Lord looked the picture of misery.

He got up from his chair and walked up and down the room two or three times.

He then stopped suddenly before Nick Carter and cried:

"For God’s sake, do something--anything to prevent this outrageous lie reaching Miss Rogers’ ears! Let them take the money. Yes, I will add to it; but spare me my honor and my love."

He sat down, grief-stricken and miserable.

And then Nick went to him and extending his hand, he said:

"Brace up, doctor. You have nothing to fear, nor need you feel even worried."

The doctor took Nick’s hand in his and expressed his warmest thanks.

He was pouring out his gratitude, when Nick interrupted him by saying:

"Do you remember the terms of the agreement they wished you to sign, doctor?"

"Yes. It stipulated that upon condition that the Alvarez woman or her brother would not breathe a suspicion about the finding of the hypodermic syringe point, I was to pay to her the sum of fifty thousand dollars on the morning of my marriage with Miss Rogers. I need not tell you that signing such a document would incriminate me and give them a perpetual handle for blackmail."

"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?"