Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/456

 "I believe this is your last week as watchman here?"

"Yes, sir."

"And it was Mr. Middlebury who caused your discharge?"

"Yes, sir." Thompson stared stupidly at his large feet.

"Then you had good reason to hate him? He is shot, and your revolver thrown into the furnace. It looks bad, my man!"

"I swear to God I'm innocent!" Thompson looked wildly into the impassive face of the Seer.

And, as he did so, Astro's face softened. "I believe you. I think you can take the handcuffs off him, McGraw."

"Take 'em off! Why, he must be the one who done it! Any fool could see that!"

"You're fool enough to, no doubt," said Astro, shrugging his shoulders; "but if you want the credit of detecting the murderer, you'd better free this man and listen to me."

Astro had proved his marvelous powers of deduction or intuition too many times, and too much to McGraw's own advantage, for the officer to refuse.

"It's sure too much for me!" he muttered to himself as he unlocked the handcuffs.

"Well, now we'll have an interview with the real criminal," said Astro, walking over to the two girls.

Miss Wilson, hearing this, looked terrified at him; but there was no expression there that could reassure her. She opened her lips to speak, but could not.

Astro began deliberately, speaking so that his words echoed through the corridor. "Miss Wilson, by your