"Perhaps I had better put her on a diet of bread and water. That sometimes fetches them," suggested the keeper of the asylum brutally.
"I am afraid she may do something desperate. She is a nervous, high-strung woman, remember."
"I've had all kinds to deal with, and I never miss it in judging them. You just leave the whole thing to me. When will you come again?"
"That must depend upon circumstances. Perhaps to-morrow afternoon."
"Will you take charge of her affairs at once?"
"I must feel my way before I do that. You see my aunt had a private secretary. He is nothing but a boy, but he may cause us a lot of trouble."
"Better discharge him at once, then, and make him turn over all his private business to you."
"That is what I intend to do."
"You said something about getting the combination of her safe."
"She wouldn't give it to me. But it won't matter so much. I can get an expert to open the safe--after I have sent that private secretary about his business," concluded Frederic Vernon.