Wragge. "She looks
dangerous; I'll feel my way a little further."

"With regard, now, to the person who is the object of these inquiries,"
he resumed. "Are you thoroughly clear in your own mind about what you
want to know?"

"Perfectly clear," replied Magdalen. "I want to know where he lives, to
begin with."

"Yes. 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. If it's Money, I'll make myself useful, with a view to the
future."

Magdalen's vigilant eyes watched the progress of his reflections
suspiciously. "Captain Wragge," she said, "if you want time to consider,
say so plainly."

"I don't want a moment," replied the captain. "Place your departure from
York, your dramatic career, and your private inquiries under my care.
Here I am, unreservedly at your disposal. Say the word--do you take me?"

Her heart beat fast; her lips turned dry--but she said the word.

"I do."

There was a pause. Magdalen sat silent, struggling with the vague
dread of the future which had been roused in her mind by her own
reply. Captain Wragge, on his side, was apparently absorbed in the
consideration of a new set of alternatives. His hands descended into his
empty pockets, and prophetically tested their capacity as receptacles
for gold and silver. The brightness of the precious metals was in his
face, the smoothness of the precious metals was in his voice, as
he provided himself with a new supply of words, and resumed the
conversation.

"The next question," he said, "is the question of time. Do these
confidential investigations of ours require immediate attention--or can
they wait?"

"For the present, they can wait," replied Magdalen. "I wish to secure
my freedom from all interference on the part of my friends before the
inquiries are made."

"Very good. The first step toward accom