A bell tinkled. Valeska, after a glance at the Master of Mysteries, pressed a button on the wall. In a moment a boy in buttons entered, carrying a salver, on which were letters. Astro took them up and spread them on the table under the lamp. Valeska looked playfully over his shoulder. Then, with a queer expression on her face, she seated herself.
"All from women!" she commented. "I wish—"
"What?" The Seer wheeled in his chair.
"Never mind." Valeska took up a book.
Astro rapidly opened the envelopes and cast them aside one by one. The last, a letter on heavy blue paper, he read a second time and tossed it over to Valeska.
"Read it aloud," he said. "I want to think." Valeska read as follows:
"My Dear Astro—You will remember, perhaps, having read my hand some months ago, and having told me some most wonderful things about myself. It was all so marvelous to me that I though you might be able to help me in a funny thing that has been happening for the last five weeks or so. Of course, I apply to you in strict confidence, and I hope you will understand."
"Oh, cut all that part out," Astro interrupted, "and all her feminine circumlocutions! Get to the business!"
