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Rh I see you for a short time about something of importance?" she questioned.

"Have a seat, madam." Astro had risen, and placed a chair, apparently innocently enough, where the full glare of the drop electric light would illuminate her. His eyes did not appear to survey his client; but under his long lashes they were busy noting detail after detail. She sat down and again hesitated to begin.

"I—I suppose that what I am about to say, sir, will be kept in perfect confidence?"

"Assuredly, madam. You are worried about your husband, I presume."

She started in surprise, looked curiously at him, and then said, "Yes," in a faint tremulous whisper. At once she added, "You told me things this afternoon which were so wonderfully true that I thought I might trust you to give me some help on a far more important affair which has been worrying me for some time. The fact is, Mr. Hudson, my husband, has disappeared. I haven't seen him for over a week."

At this Astro manifested no surprise, and merely remarked, "I was aware that he was away, madam, when I read your palm this afternoon. No doubt I can find him, if that is what you wish; but it may take some time; for I shall have to gaze into my crystals and go into a trance. It will also be necessary for me to go to your house—into his room, in fact—in order that I may first take his atmosphere."

"Oh, I understand," she exclaimed. "To tell the truth, I'm very, very much worried, and anxious to have you go to work as soon as possible. I daren't go to the police; for, after all, there may be nothing serious the matter, and it would cause a lot of talk; and I