Evening star., 1909-04-11
Now I'll give my instructions to

her a lesson. Now II give my instructions to
Van Asten.
He rang up the lawyer. After the converse
ton he returned to Eaeska and said
He's agreed to compromise, If Drellmont
calls The lanltor told him this lady presented
a typewriter note, with his name forged to It,
inviting her to wait in his apartment for him
That's how she got in there. | suggested that
he hint at prosecuting Drelln1ont for blackmail,
on the strength of that episode, and he has
agreed to suggest to the rascal that he leave
town Immediately as one of the conditions of
the compromise. But it's a ticklish game, al
together. l don't know whether ought to eX-
plain everything to Van Asten or not"
Why, l should think he ought to know,
said Va1eska.
Why, then, you haven't solved the mvs
terry of the lady's errand.' he asked.
Il confess / haven't"
Well then I'll tell you. It's so ingenious
and simple that you'd probably never get it
alone. The fact is, that she went down there
to erase the date on the will This she did, and
then wrote in the same date,-July 1, 1908.
saw it Immediately cast my eyes on the docu
ment. When saw the broken bottle at the foot
of the airshaft, l suspected that she had thrown
away some damaging evidence. When noticed
that spot on the blotter where the ink had been
beached, was sure of it. The only question,
then, was whether Van Asten himself hadn't
taken the paper home to tamper with it. But,
as the date was right, he couldn't have"
What was her, or rather Dremont S, reason
for putting iii the same date them"
Why, so that when the will was probated
they could call attention to the eraSurc and
subsequent rewriting That would cast sus-
pCion on the whole document, and no doubt
the first will would be accepted legal
oh, it was simple. wasn't it? But you
didn't tell Van Asten?'
No, not vet. want him to offer the will
for probate as it is. You see, it is undoubtedly
genuine; but if it had been tampered with
he'd never be willing to handle it. | got that
from my study of his character. I'm going to
take the responsibility on myself. If Drell
with this lady, whoever she is, he'll never know
that she succeeded, and Van Asten and Miss
Drellmont will be safe. When this blonde lady
finds that she has been abandoned, she won't
care to play into his hands, especially as it may
get her into trouble herself
/ ATE that afternoon, as Vaeska was busy in
- the little laboratory off the studio, she
shadow pass swiftly toward the waiting room.
1t was the mysterious blonde. Ealeska waited
and listened
Give me Madison Square a615 Hello!
Is AIr. Dremont there? :. He's left7 Why
that's impossible :. =. This afternoon? Where
did he goe No address, Are. you
sure?" The receiver went on the hook with
snap.
next. A few minutes later she stole to the por-
there's and looked into the waiting room. No
one was there!
WELL" said Astro, you should have fol-
lowed her That girl was clever. Any
one who could act as well as she did with Van
Asten would be valuable assistant. / might
have used her.
Vales1as fine lips cured Il think one assist
ant is enough for you, sir She was altogether
too blonde. | always distrust that kind!
The Seer smiled and tossed kiss airily at her
We'll, as for that, prefer blondes, myself" :"
The next Seer of Secrets" story :" The Md
dlebnry Murder a1H appear April IS.