Wondering much she followed him up-stairs, where without preliminaries he brought out a bundle of papers and said with a smile:
"Sheila, we're going to have a business talk. Something unexpected has happened. First—there!"
Picking out of the bundle a book he offered it to her with an expectant smile. She took it with a feeling of apprehension, watching him in almost dismay. It was a bank book inscribed with her name.
"For me?" she cried, "but—what—why?"
"You have said you don't have enough money," he answered drily. "You are now to run the house—all expenses except rent. Every three months four hundred dollars will be paid in to your account."
She looked and saw that amount entered to her credit. This development in her husband so overwhelmed her that she could not for a time muster words to thank him. When she started he cut her short.
"Now listen, Sheila, you've been wondering, haven't you, what has worried me these last days." He stopped with a questioning look, reveling in his new power of deception. "Three days ago I was afraid that the chance to make millions was going to escape me. To-day I have it in my hand. Yes, Sheila, millions—millions!"
Across her mind there passed the terrible thought that Bofinger had found an opening, and she said anxiously:
"Is it a secret?"
"Absolutely," he answered. "A secret for every one!"