Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/498

 "She's been here only a little while," said the janitor. "She didn't move in all her furniture; but you can get an idea what the place is like."

They walked rapidly through the place. Only one room was fitted up, and that but scantily, with only the requisites. The kitchen contained a few utensils, and it was evident that the occupant of the apartment took her meals outside. Astro walked to the dumb-waiter and lifted the sliding door. Opposite, only three feet away, was the corresponding door into Pinkard's kitchen. A glance at Valeska was hardly necessary. She nodded her head emphatically.

"Who lives here?" Astro asked.

"A Miss Demming. She's an actress, I hear. A pretty girl she is, too."

"Well, I'll come and see her. Much obliged, I'm sure."

"Do you think you will take it?" the janitor asked.

"I'm afraid it's too small," said the Seer, as they went out.

They were hesitating in the vestibule, and the janitor had left them, when Valeska exclaimed, "Why, there she is now!"

Astro looked out. A very pretty woman was walking toward them. By Pinkard's description alone he would have known her, even in her spring costume, for the Lady in Taupe. She held her head erect, ran up the steps, and, as they made way for her, entered the vestibule. Astro turned in time to see her open the letter-box of the third-floor suite. She took a key from her pocketbook, unlocked the door, and went upstairs without looking behind her.

"Which," said Astro, smiling, "explains how she is