New-York tribune., 1908-06-21
Drawings by Karl Anderson


was temporarily broken off. 1t would have come
out all right, I'm sure. | intended to make it up
with her | was prepared to make any compromise
whatever; for | was crazy about her She my
whole life" He paused and put his hands across
Vaeska looked across to the Master, her eyes
already swimming with tears of sympathy. Astro,
however showed sign, and putfed TRANQUILITY at
his narghie, waiting for Mason to become more
calm. In the anteroom the great clock broke the
silence with ringing, melOdlOus chime and struck
the hour of six in booming notes.
Mason looked up with tense face. That next
dav she was murdered!' he said brokenly. She
was found dead in her boudoir the second floor
of her house, just before dinner time, at about dusk
Both doors were locked; but the double windows
were open The police say she strangled. Think
of it! Godsl she beautiful! How could anyone
have done it 1t seems impossible, now, that
she is dead. There slight marks on her throat
that looked like finger prints. didn't see them,-
there was lace round her neck when her, her
casket. Oh, God" He rose and paced up and
down the room restlessly, his eyes cast down.
What have the police done?" Astro inquired
gently. :,
KEY to Elizabeths room, it seems. and some of the
servants thought they heard her talking in the
| think that's the strongest point against her. But
| doubt if she did it. 1t was too brutal. must
down the real murderer and have it proved beyond
the possibility of doubt. | can't rest till that's
done He turned almost savagely to the quiet
figure of the paImist Cant YOU do it? You can
see things in crvstals YOU know the secret laws Of
nature: YOU lead life of study and research with
the old dePts & Can you DO {nar dns %T T Tasson he
said Il do not ordinarily concern myself with such
affairs Those who wish come to me- and l, of my
knowledge of the laws of Being, reveal what IS
hidden Such agonizng experiences as yours are
distracting to the student of the Higher Way
I'm rich. Mason S, broke in. ~ln pay you any
thing you wish! NAL Make eye your PrSTf T ca thousand
were part of the world once. Can't you remember
what it means to love a beautiful woman and want
marry herr:
that account that hestated. But III forget myself
and consent assist you.
The young sank into chair again, with
gratitude in his pOIse. on II want to go down to
Hamphurst:" he asked
"Certainlv l must get the vibrations of the
scene itself before seek the murderer He has left
l shall go down tomorrow, If You VIII accompany
me Tonight / shall go to the Tombs and see Miss
Denton's maid She too must be studied by
who is sensitive to aura. My friend McGraW viii be
He shot a glance at Valeska as he mentioned the
inspectors name. She replied with tlutterng
smile, and serious again.
Young Mason buttoned up his overcoat, and with
an embarrassed. hesitating manner did his best to
express his thanks Astro cut short his stammerng
sentences laid his own hand with friendly gesture
on Massons shoulder, and guided him out of the
room. At parting it was agreed that they should
meet on the nine-twelve train for Hamphurst
THE pal1aist walked back the studio, shut off
L all lights but that in his favorite corner, and
sat down in silence Vaeska waited for him to
Not bad for two days work." he said finally,
smiling.
Are you sure you can do it," she asked, raising
Nv dear" he replied, taking up his water pipe
again. am | not a Mahat1na Of the Fourth Sphere,
and were not the divine laws OF cosnlc hte revealed
to me while l d chee,a on the heights OF the
Valeska broke into silvery laugh, DO you
know" she SAID, that patter of yours IS almost as
lrccrninq as that turban and robe. But, to be