Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/31

Rh "Would you please tell me where Professor Dove is?" he inquired.

"Why, I—I don't know, I'm sure." She looked him up and down curiously.

"Then would you mind telling me where I can find Mr. John Hudson?"

Still she showed no sign of surprise; but drew herself up proudly. "There's no such person in this building that I know of," she asserted.

"I thought I had seen you in Professor Dove's office," continued the crystal-gazer suavely.

Something in his manner now seemed to alarm her. "Indeed! I'm a stranger here. You must be mistaken, really."

"You have never heard of Mr. Hudson?" he went on.

"What right have you to question me in this way?" she demanded boldly; and yet, oddly enough, she did not try to pass him.

"I have the right for two reasons. First, because the post-office is very curious as to the nature of concerns doing a mail-order business, and second, because the police would very much like to know something more concerning the death of Professor Dove."

She scarcely stopped to hear the rest of the sentence before she turned and ran up-stairs. Astro, though he bounded after her in a moment, was a moment too late; for the door was slammed and locked in his face.

"The police!" he heard her cry, and at once there was a commotion in the room. A window was thrown up hurriedly; then all became still. He waited in patience, listening intently. The first sound audible, however, came from the stairway beneath him. Assured that some one was coming up, he turned and saw Va-