Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-31
Astro the Seer in Suburban Mystery
By Alan Braghampton
Drawing by George Brehm

Drawing by George Brehm
certainly volunteer my services. Perhaps YOU had
better send her a note, anyway"
This Valeska did forthwith with the result that
Miss Fanshawe appeared few days later at the
studio She confessed herself worried about the
stories that had been circulated both because of the
unpleasant notorety she had gained, and because of
the fact that they might depreciae the value of the
house, which she wished to sell soon as possible
The rumors were, she confessed based upon tales
some OF her servants had been ndiscreet enough to
relate. There seemed to be something at the bot
tom of the affair, and she would be much relieved
to have the mystery cleared up.
Miss Mildred Fanshawe was an aristocratic but
anemc looking woman of perhaps thirty years. She
was brunette, with dark hair and eyes, with a lean
narrow face. full of nervous energy. Her hands were
long and slim; her upper lip nearly covered with
fine hair, almost mustache, which gave her dis
tincty Italian aspect She talked freely with Astro
and Valeska, using gestures like a foreigner.
WHEN she had gone, Astro turned to his assistant
'" Well" he said, I'm curious to know just
what you noticed about that woman"
There is something strange about her-I hardly
know what it is. said Valeska. - | noticed though
for one thing. that she wigged her ears. l knew a
boy once who could do that. I've often tried to:
but can't. Then. her mustache great blemsh
wasn't it? It's pity for woman to have to suffer
that Then, her eyes were funny. What the
matter with them?'
Astro smiled And have been lecturing YOU
upon the eye for fortnight 1t the semilunar
fold spoke to you about awhile ago. 1t was extra
ordinarily large"
80 it was now recall it. That was funny about
her being able to pick up fork with her toes like
Stevenson at Vailima. wasn't it? | always wanted
to live in country where could go barefooted We
don't half use feet. do we?"
Well-and the ghost? Have you no theory"
Astro asked.
Already? Of course not! How can we tell any,
thing till investigate the premises and see the
appartion?
"Oh, We'll go down of course; but it's scarcely
necessary, consider.
fell into her1a with
gesture. Oh dear!' she exclaimed. I'll never
learn anything! How in the world could you learn
the of the hG as by I to he
talk, even. What did she say that might be sgnif-
cant?"
DO you mean about that operation she had for
appendicitis" Vaeska considered it thoughtfulv
Lets see. She mentioned the fact that she had
her vermform appendix removed. and it proved to
be abnormaly large. But that doesn't prove any
Think it See if you can't put it with what
| have told you, and more important still, read
Metchnikoff l recommend to you his Prolongaton
of Life but won't tell you what chapter especially
There you'll find the missing link in the argument
You have already half of my theory in the doctrine
Of 'vestigial organs. which you can apply to Miss
Fanshawes case The other half prefer you to
work out for yourself It's the simplest kind of
deduction and needs only confederation at Fan
Shave Farm. Let's see she asked to down
next Friday. That gives you three days in which to
think it over"
He rose and yawned Il wish you'd buy me some
blue paint and brush he added. Now l must
put in little time that somnoform expert
ment. l think I'm getting at it,
RUT Valeska had no time to read Metchnikoff that
- week. The of District Attorney Tulliver
on, and Astro his wits end for an ex-
PLANTATION of that mystery. His absences from the
studio were long and often. and Valeska. who had
long been preparing herself in parnistry, gave read
ngs to all those clients who did not insist upon per-
sonal interview with the Master of Mysteries. Il
need scarcely be said that most such clients
tof1 hoo