Page:The Master of Mysteries (1912).djvu/518

 "Oh, I beg your pardon!" he said, and looked at Astro queerly. "Haven't I met you somewhere?" he added.

Astro recalled the meeting but did not mention his own name.

The doctor appeared to be a little embarrassed. "I've got to catch a subway train; so you'll have to excuse me," he said. "Otherwise, I'd like to have a talk. I have some theories of my own about capillary markings on the fingers I'd like to discuss with you. Good day!" and he was off like a busy squirrel. As he passed the drug-store entrance Astro noticed that he gave a swift, apparently uneasy look inside.

Mrs. Stellery, however, had not yet appeared; but at a few minutes before six she walked in the door, handed a prescription to the clerk at the desk, and seated herself without appearing to recognize the Seer, who lounged at a counter some distance away. She was beautifully dressed in the prevalent mode, and sat like a fashion-plate, without expression on her proud face, as if bored to death.

Six o'clock struck, and no one approached Her. Fifteen minutes went by, and still she sat, calm and haughty, in her place. Finally, when the prescription was handed her, she walked over to Astro and bowed coldly.

"Do you think it will be any use waiting longer?" she asked.

"Not the slightest," was his reply. "No one will come, I am quite sure."

She looked up at him with a sudden keen expression. "You are sure?" she repeated.

"Quite so, Mrs. Stellery. May I escort you home?"