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16 leska beckoning frantically. He tiptoed to her, and she whispered:

"He climbed out through the window into that of the next house! Can't we catch him there?"

"We'll have to, or lose the whole game!" he cried. "It was a bit premature; but perhaps it will be as well, after all. Come along, and look out for trouble. I'll have to bluff it out now, though I have no desire to impersonate a police officer,—that's a dangerous game. But we must hurry."

In an instant more they were down-stairs and hidden in the entrance of the next building. They had not long to wait. A man, bareheaded and excited, came running down, and would have dashed by, had not Astro's hand immediately clutched him.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Hudson," said the Master of Mysteries, "but I wish to ask you a few questions."

"Who are you?" The man's voice was full of anxiety.

"A friend," said Astro.

Valeska put out her hand and took that of the frightened old man. "Don't be alarmed, Mr. Hudson. Really you are quite safe with us."

He gazed at her in dull astonishment. "What do you want, anyhow?" he exclaimed peevishly, attempting to recover a bold front, though his face was haggard with terror.

"I've found all I really want," Astro replied quietly; "but at the same time I'd like to have my curiosity gratified. What, for instance, do you know concerning the death of Professor Dove?"

Hudson started, and stared in the young man's face. "What! Is he dead? When did he die?"