Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/146



Deliver me not over unto the the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. (Ps. 27:12.) I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. (Ps. 26:4.) But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. (Ps. 26:11.)

"I'll tell you what'll do," said Astro, "we'll send this down to his house by a messenger boy. He won't know what to make of it; but he won't be able to ask her how it was delivered till it's all over."

The message was sent at once; then, as Astro walked with Valeska to her home, he said:

"We can't do this again; it will make too much trouble. You'll have to see if you can't get into his studio some way and find out what messages he is receiving. You can go and offer yourself as a model. That will give you plenty of time to look about, and you may manage to find the bottoms of the boxes every day. If I know the young man in love, he won't destroy them."

Valeska consented to attempt the adventure, and accordingly set out the next morning after entering on her list the following message deciphered from Chester's advertisement in The Star:

Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. (Ps. 31:18.) For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. (Ps. 31:22.)