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 a bit too young. But of course, now, I'll see that she doesn't get in. It's not likely that she'll let me see her again, anyway."

"On the contrary," said Astro, "you'll see her as much as ever."

Astro and Valeska called at the Vanberg apartments that afternoon at three o'clock and went carefully over Pinkard's rooms. To Valeska's surprise, their call lasted only fifteen minutes, and then Astro, pleading another engagement, took his leave. She did not question him, being busy trying to puzzle out the mystery for herself; but, when he stopped at the front door down-stairs and rang the janitor's bell, she gave a little cry of triumph.

"Oh, I begin to see!" she exclaimed.

"I should hope so! It's too ridiculously simple. Half the flat burglaries in New York are done that way."

"But who helped? She couldn't do it alone."

"That's what we'll have to make sure of. I can only guess, just now. But here's the janitor. Have you any flats to rent in the building?"

The janitor looked them over before replying. "Well, there's a party wants to move out if she can find a good tenant to sublet to," he said.

"May we see the apartment?"

"She's not in, I think; but I guess it'll be all right. She's in a great hurry to rent, and I promised to help her. It's up on the third floor."

Valeska pressed Astro's arm in glee. Pinkard lived on the third floor! They were taken up, and the door unlocked.