“The Mrs. Badger mentioned,” replied Weston, “is the wife of one Amos G. Badger, a wealthy Boston stock-broker. He owns a fine old place on one of the most desirable outskirts of Brookline, inherited from his father some years ago, and the couple move in the most exclusive circles of the local fashionable society. Badger’s place is on Laurel Road, and covers several acres.” “Go on,” nodded Nick; “I follow you.” “Mrs. Badger’s companion that afternoon was her sister,” continued Weston, “a woman locally famous under the name of Madame Victoria.” “Famous for what?” inquired Nick. “Well, she claims to be an astrologer, a spiritual medium, and a sort of fortune-teller, I believe,” explained Chief Weston. “H’m!” “At all events, Nick, she does a tremendous business, and has a magnificent suite in an office building on Tremont Street, directly opposite the Common. No end of wealthy and fashionable people consult her, either for advice in business or love-affairs—or to get messages alleged to come from dead friends,” added Weston, laughing a bit derisively. “I don’t take any stock in that stuff,” said Nick bluntly. “Nor do I, Nick,” was the reply. “Yet the woman is certainly a character, and, if reports are true, has made very many remarkable predictions, and displays a most mysterious faculty for communicating with the unseen world.” “Bosh!” “Like you, Nick, I have no faith in any of that rot!” laughed Weston. “Yet I know half a dozen brokers who consult her regularly as to the course of the stock-market, as well as many other business men, all of whom claim to derive great advantages thereby. Her rooms are always occupied by some patron, either male or female, and her fees are very high. So there may be a little more in it, Nick, than you imagine.” Nick shook his head incredulously. “Come back to Hecuba,” he growled. “You say that this woman is sister to Badger’s wife?” “Yes.” “What is her right name?” “Victoria Clayton.” “A euphonious name, at least.” “Badger’s wife was a Claudia Clayton, and at one time was on the stage,” continued Weston. “She, too, is a remarkably clever and capable woman, an accomplished linguist, a votary of physical culture, an expert tennis and golf-player, and one of the best cross-country riders among the cultured sporting set who lean to such pastimes. Both women, in fact, are over the average, and out of the ordinary.” “Did Badger marry his wife from the stage?” “I think not, Nick. She had retired some time before. They have been married about five years, I believe.” “Come back to the picture,” said Nick. “It must have been taken just as the hold-up occurred.” “Yes, it was.” “Were the crooks aware of it?” “No, indeed.” “How was the trick pulled off?” demanded Nick curiously. “It’s not often that such a clever dodge is played upon professional crooks.” “The woman who did it is clever, just as I tell you.” “Tell me how it happened.” “I will give you the facts as they were given to me.”