Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/142

 Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness. (Ps. 18:18.) When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me. (Ps. 73:16.) Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thine eyes wink at ? (Job 15:12.) Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. (Ps. 22:20.)

"Surely you'll help them out now, won't you?" Valeska pleaded. "We can't let it all be spoiled this way! Think how hard it is for her to explain!"

"Trust her," said Astro, shaking his head. "Only I'd like to know how she does it; that's all I want. I propose that we take a walk out to Fifty-third Street this evening. You know she goes up-stairs into her room every night after dinner, say from eight till nine o'clock. I think if we walk up and down in front of that block we may find something doing."

"Oh, I hope we'll find Chester, anyway!" Valeska exclaimed.

They proceeded as he had suggested, that evening, to walk up Fifth Avenue after dinner, reaching Fifty-third Street at a few minutes past eight. Astro pointed out Ruth's window, which was already lighted. Then together they walked slowly up and down on the opposite side of the street, keeping the house well in view.

They had not been there for more than ten minutes, when the sash was suddenly thrown up in Ruth Lorsson's room. They could see her form silhouetted against the light. A white something was thrown out, and fell on the sidewalk. Immediately a man emerged