Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/330

 is so suggestive! My brother went to Mexico on purpose to trace up the 'Luck of the Merringtons.' He had a foolish idea that he could find it. It has always been a family legend only, but we children took it seriously. Lucky or unlucky, we wanted it in our possession. Henry always said that if he ever had time and money for a vacation, he was going to Chihuahua to track down that heirloom, whatever it was. It was because I was so impatient to find out about it that I came to you. I thought you might give me some hint that would help him find it. I wasn't worried at his not writing, because I knew he might be away from the railroad; but I was impatient to have news. And I've heard such things of you, so I thought I'd come, for the fun of it. I never expected you could do anything so specific as this, though. Now I'm worried. Oh, I hope Henry's all right and safe! If he only comes back, I don't care if we don't get the 'Luck of the Merringtons,' though heaven knows we need it badly enough! Our luck couldn't possibly be worse than it is now, I think. I've been a companion for a rich woman for a year; but I can't stand it a day longer, and I'm going to be a stenographer."

"I predict a better fate for you than that," said Astro. "I think the family luck will return. You wait patiently for a few days and see if I'm not right."

Valeska came into the studio as soon as Miss Merrington had gone. "It seems to me you took a long chance," she said, as she sat down.

"My dear," said Astro, throwing himself on the red velvet couch and drawing up his narghile, "I took no chance at all. If this Henry Merrington who adver-