And after that ?" "I want to know about his habits; about who the people are whom he associates with; about what he does with his money--" She considered a little.

"And one thing more," she said; "I want to know whether there is any woman about his house--a relation, or a housekeeper--who has an influence over him." "Harmless enough, so far," said the captain.

"What next ?" "Nothing.

The rest is my secret." The clouds on Captain Wragge's countenance began to clear away again.
He reverted, with his customary precision, to his customary choice of alternatives.

"These inquiries of hers," he thought, "mean one of two things--Mischief, or Money! If it's Mischief, I'll slip through her fingers.