Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11

NSSNISSS dressed in his red silk robe and h
turban with the moonstone clasI
leisurely entered the apartment For moment tn
young gazed at the as if to estimate tn
mans caliber and character Astro said nothing; bu
bowling gravey. took his seat on the big couch an
lazy lighted his water pipe. waiting for his vistc
to speak AK oo,,o 70 ,o, . +ha ou,a man s.;d
nally, although l must confess don't quite bt
that you must know considerable about huma
nature. You certainly plenty of it"
Astro bowed again, and faint smile curled h
II have also heard you called the Master of Ny
terieS,' the young man continued.
Astro bowed again.
The young and handed the palmist
card It read, "Mr John Wellington Shaw
Astro looked at it and tossed it the table.
Z" suppose you know who l ann?
Astro again bowed.
Its a part of your business. l suppose. Yo
may have read in the papers also of my sister
engagement to Count D'Ampleri?"
The same sober gesture of assent from the panis
Shaw sat down again. showed his hands into n
pockets crossed his legs, and leaned back. . M
Astro" he said. 1--WE come here on queer erranC
l suppose you many strange things in your Pre-
fession. and it seemed to me that your experienc
would enable you to give me some help. What
want you to do first is to believe something that
nearly Incredible.
"My dear sir" said Astro, speaking at las
the more impossible it seems to be. the prot
able it is. For that matter, one has only to rea
the papers. But. seriously, if l help you
anyway, shall be glad to do so.
Shaw took gold cigarette from hi
pocket. selected cigarette. knocked it against hi
fist. and struck match. After the first long ii
halation he remarked. You'll promise, then.
believe the extraordinary story tell you
"Mr. Shaw" Astro replied Sc it, easy enough
for me to perceive that you gentleman
l expect an equal amount of perception from
you AT any rate, hardly why you should
come here to tell me untruth
But what l mean is, I'm afraid you IL
think Pm-well a bit crazy. It's simply
too ridiculous. Why. 1 wouldn't believe it
myself. hardly"
Lets have it, You have really excited
my curiosity" Astro folded his and
looked at Shaw with sharp eyes You
tainly show no symptoms of arrangement
yet"
Shaw gave a nervous laugh "Oh it isn't
/; it my sister. That's why it is so hard to +
tell: assume of course that this confession
will be kept confidential. Not only that, but
l expect you to help me out-for ample
consideration"
Astro bowed. Il have secrets enough in
this head of mine to destroy dozen of the
first families of New York. he said little
dryly.
Shaw shrugged his shoulders: very we'll
I'll waste no more time You'll see how use
less it is to appeal to the police, or even to
my lawyer. But first have you heard of the
robbery of Mrs. Landors jewes?"
ooh. yes. The thief. believe. has never
been discovered 1t always seemed to
curious. too. that reward for their return
had ever been offered But what have they
to do with your sister,"
SHAW gazed up at the ceiling then down
to tell the story. it's so confoundedly absurd
We are Westerners. you know. of good.
sound. and healthy stock We're
Shakespeare. No trace of brain storms or
far: but it will be talked about if can't stop
it.; that is. if you can't. l don't know what