"I found out that White had left town to-day," she announced.
"Aha!" said the Seer cryptically.
He went in and bowed gravely to Barrister in the reception-room. Valeska busied herself at her desk and watched under her brows. Astro took his accustomed seat on the divan.
"Mr. Barrister," he said, after a pause, "I am sorry to say that I have been unable to find either the Folio or the thief."
The other immediately rose, shaking his head emphatically and triumphantly. "I thought as much," he said. "This is what all this charlatanry usually amounts to. You're all alike,—you can impose upon credulous women; but when it comes actually to accomplishing anything, you can't deliver the goods. However, I've satisfied my wife, at any rate. I suppose there will be no charge in these circumstances, Mr. Astro?"
The Master of Mysteries twirled his thumbs and spoke dreamily. "On the contrary, Mr. Barrister, my services on this case will cost you just one thousand dollars."
His client stared at him indignantly. His brow drew down. "What in the world do you mean, sir? One thousand dollars!"
"One thousand dollars is my fee. I can give you a blank check if you haven't your book with you."
"But you've discovered nothing."
"I said that I had not found the book or the thief."
"And yet your fee, if you had found either, was to have been only five hundred! I don't understand what you are driving at, sir!"
Astro recrossed his legs and gave his client gaze for
