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14 pound pendulum to the two marks—any day and any year—you can produce a curve for any birthday you please, and you can always reproduce it to order. It's a very good plan to have some sort of scientific basis for this kind of thing, on account of the inquisitiveness of the post-office authorities. If you simply have a set of form letters for answers, the chances are that you'll have a fraud order against you and you'll not get your mail with its desirable money-orders and stamp enclosures."

"And the calendar?"

"Merely to tell easily what day of the week any birthday fell on. For instance, December 22, 1883, was on a Saturday, and so on."

"What I am most interested in is the life readings," said the girl, "and the advice on how to acquire beauty."

"Or love?" Astro added, with a smile.

"I'll try to do that myself. It's more exciting."

From across the street the two now reconnoitered number 198. Below, at the musty stairway, appeared, among other signs, the legend, "Prof. Dove, Astrologer." It was already growing dark, and above, in a window on the third floor, a dim light appeared. The shade was drawn.

"I'm going to investigate more closely," said Astro. "You wait outside here and watch the window. If I raise the shade, come up!"

So saying, he crossed, and ascended the stairs. As he reached the landing, however, he met a young woman coming down, who, at a glance, proved to be the Miss Vivian of the "Dentabella" advertisements. Astro stood still in front of her, barring the way.