Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-30
Mrs. Se1wyn's Emerald
Continued from poge 10
Continued from page 10

upon the molecules IN my BRAN and set up 4
corresponding change to that made by the
original thought Mr.. Selwyn, III prove it "
Astros voice had risen to a strident tone,
compelling and inclslve Everyone looked at
MN eagerly. There hush. Then volley
of explanations broke out like storm and
Selwyns last objections were swept away.
At last the host, overborne, and himself
piqued with curiosity. gave a gesture of
"reminiscences Astro stepped down from his
eagerly to right and left. He paused one
moment, standing with his hand to his fore
head his little finger pointed upward Naleska
saw and read the signal:
Follow the person point out !"
He then walked up to the dowager with
whom he had been at supper time Will you
Kindly take off your left glove, Mrs. Post
lethwaite?" he asked.
do YOU mean, Do you dare insinuate that
took Mrs. Selwyn's brooch!"
Her eyes were as wide open as dolls, and
Ter anger was ludicrous to the company who
watched her. For the first time since the
lights went out, there was hearty laugh all
over the salon. >,
Silence!' Astro commanded harshly. He
turned to the gaping matron. Madam you
must do what | ask, and do 1T quickly so as
not to delay the recovery. If YOU are inno-
cent you have nothing to tear. II you hes1-
tate, we can't, of course, be blamed for sus-
pecting you.
She stared at him Indignantly, IiutteIihS
10 herself but tugged at her glove, neverthe-
less He took her barred hand and inspected
the palm. Then he took her right hand gloved
as it was. and inspected that.
He left her suddenly as he had come,
however with no comment whatever, and
darted to the Young debutante who had also
been of his group in the dining room.
Quick Miss Preston he said. Take
off your left hand glove!'
Miss Preston was young enough and thought
to Ike he lightly,
obeyed him with a smile. He gave her palm
a glance then turned her hand and looked at
the back. Then he left her for the pale, wan
youth. His glove too came Off his left hand.
and his right gloved hand was examined.
The man with the pompadOur came next, and
the same pantomlme was enacted Astro
eyes STAYED for second or two on the mans
left coat sleeve; then he passed on
60 he went from one to another, now to a
- woman, now to man, until he came to
the Countess Trixola Her eyes had never lett
him: her hand remained on her breast, as II
TO hide the beating of her heart. Her eyes
were hard and cold but the pupils were
dilated. Her upper lip quivered a little.
Will you kindly remove Your glove,
Countess' No, Your right: If you please
Yes thank YOU. Now your lett hand just as
il is. Thank You"
He turned swiftly to the next beside her;
but before he had examined the hand he had
bitten the knuckle of his forehnger, as If in
abstraction.
This Valeska noticed, and from that mo-
1nent regardless of what he was doing She
Kept her eyes on the Countess The woman
mad turned to a companion, and was evidently
voiCing some sarcastic comment on Astros
methods AS she spoke, she moved insenSibly
away, and backed toward another group,
nearer the wall by the windows. The COM
pany had now begun to move Il little, and her
progress was SO clever as to be unnoticeable
70 one who did not specially follow her move
Inents. She passed few feet nearer the Win
dow.
Astro went on steadily, from one person to
another, examining palms. In another mo-
:nent however, he had stopped dramatically,
pat both his hands to his forehead, staggered,
and dropped to the floor. y woman screamed.
Two or three men ran up to support HIM IN
their arms. y physician elbowed his way
through the crowd.
A that moment while everyone was star
ing at the group that surrounded the
Master of Mysteries, Naleska saw the Countess
move quickly toward the window. There, for
:. moment she stood facing the assembly,
cooking sharply about, her hands behind her
back An instant more, and she had lett
again and Joined the man with the pompadour.
She drew him aside and spoke to him. He
nodded, looked behind him, and moved away.
Some one was calling for water. y man
- hon,