Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/447

 "I didn't take her up at all, to-night!" was the response; but his eye wandered away from his examiner.

"I took her down, though, when she left here, at five o'clock."

"It's queer she should leave her ring here, then, and dirty water in the bowl."

"Perhaps it was another woman," the boy ventured.

"Perhaps it was. Did you carry up any other?"

"Why, I think I did; but I can't quite remember. I think she went out again, though."

"You have a remarkably poor memory," said Astro acidly.

The door was now flung open again, and Thompson appeared. He showed signs of the greatest distress, his eyes staring, and his mouth lax.

"The gun has gone!" he exclaimed, and stood gazing helplessly at McGraw.

"It has! Then I'll have to arrest you," said the officer, and he took a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. "Hold out your hands, my man!"

Astro apparently paid no attention to this scene, and walked again into the office and stood looking at the body. "You'd better get Moffett and take them both down-stairs. I'll look about a bit. When the doctor comes, send him up. Send some one to look at the roof under Moffett's window to see if he can find an empty cartridge. Keep a watch out yourself for any one going down-stairs."

When McGraw had gone with his prisoner, Valeska approached the Seer and gazed timidly at the body of Middlebury.

"Look at his left eye," said Astro soberly.