“I shall be wise, Thelda. I have been wise in the past. Then, I needed money. Now, with millions—”
He turned and looked at the girl. She rose from her chair, her eyes bright with admiration. She approached Palermo and clutched his arm.
“You mean it, Albert?” she asked. “From now on — you and I—”
The strangely-clad man shook his head slowly. With a gentle, easy motion, he removed the girl’s grasp.
He pointed to the chair, and went back to his own resting place.
“We must wait, Thelda,” he said. “We must wait first of all — until Roger Crowthers has died.”
“That will be within the hour!” the girl exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with sudden hatred.
“Then,” returned Palermo, “we will be free — free to use the wealth that he has given you, unknown to any one. As his nurse, Thelda, you have played a perfect part.
“The world will be surprised that his wealth is not greater. They will not know of the millions which you have brought to me — nor can any one discover the effects of the slow poison you have administered by my direction.”
“Then we are free — free tonight to—”