"From the garret to the kitchen, consider it yours!" "A thousand thanks, Major; I will consider it mine for the moment.
You know--everybody knows--that one of a woman's many weaknesses is curiosity.

Suppose my curiosity led me to examine everything in my new house ?" "Yes ?" "Suppose I went from room to room, and searched everything, and peeped in everywhere?
Do you think there would be any chance--" The quick-witted Major anticipated the nature of my question.

He followed my example; he too started to his feet, with a new idea in his mind.
"Would there be any chance," I went on, "of my finding my own way to my husband's secret in this house?
One word of reply, Major Fitz-David! Only one word--Yes or No ?" "Don't excite yourself!" cried the Major.
"Yes or No ?" I repeated, more vehemently than ever.
"Yes," said the Major, after a moment's consideration.
It was the reply I had asked for; but it was not explicit enough, now I had got it, to satisfy me.

I felt the necessity of leading him (if possible) into details.
"Does 'Yes' mean that there is some sort of clew to the mystery ?" I asked.

"Something, for instance, which my eyes might see and my hands might touch if I could only find it ?" He considered again.