Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/39

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MISSING JOHN HUDSON
21

"Ring for a messenger boy and send this," continued the Master of Mysteries. "She will not know that it isn't a genuine telegram. A woman in her state of mind won't notice anything, I'm sure; and I think if you turn up at the Grand Central, appearing to have come in on that train, she will be there to meet you with open arms."

Tears appeared in the old man's eyes. "I'll do it!" he said. "And to-morrow I'll buy a couple of tickets for Naples. God bless you, sir, for your kindness!"

"And what's to become of me?" spoke up Miss Vivian.

Astro looked at her indulgently. "You may go on with this work here, for all I care," he said. "It's a very tidy little business apparently, and none of my affair. But I advise you rather to apply for a position in Mr. Hudson's office. I don't think, however, that with your face and figure you will have much trouble in getting employment."

"Oh, I'll see to that," said John Hudson.

"Well," Valeska said with relief, as she and Astro left the office, "it's all over now."

"Not at all!" remarked her companion bruskly. "I haven't earned my fee yet. Come into this drug store with me a moment."

He went to the telephone and called up Mrs. John Hudson. "Mrs. Hudson," he said, "I've been consulting my crystals, and have just seen your husband in Rochester. He was taking a train for New York. He had just consummated a real estate deal there which had been very profitable, and I think you will see him