“I called upon her in Brookline this morning.” “Does what I say corroborate her statements?” “Yes.” Nick had mentioned the call only to see if Madame Victoria would say that she had since heard from the Badgers, but she did nothing of the kind, leaving Nick to believe that she had not. This served only to increase his growing suspicions, when recalling what she had said that morning; and he now gravely added, with his gaze indifferently fixed upon her face: “I think there is only one more question that I would like to have you answer for me, Madame Victoria.” “Only one?” “That is all.” “Ask it, Detective Carter.” Nick’s voice fell a little lower, and became more impressive. “I wish to know what you would have said to me, Madame Victoria, if I had called to consult you professionally.” The smile still lingered about the woman’s red lips, and her eyes met his without flinching. “I should have said, Detective Carter, what my first impression impelled me to say, yet which I decided to repress.” “What was that?” “I should have told you that I felt, when you entered, as if I were meeting a person who had recently called here.” “Did you feel so?” “I did.” “How do you now feel about it?” “I am now sure.” “Of what?” “That you were here this morning under the name of Sibley,” replied Madame Victoria, now frowning slightly. “I cannot possibly imagine why you came here in disguise and under an assumed name, Detective Carter, yet I am convinced that you did so.” “How did you acquire that knowledge?” Nick now demanded, ignoring her quiet rebuke. “I answered that question for Mr. Sibley,” was the reply, with a covert sneer. “Hence there is no need for me to answer it for you.” “You acquired it through your impressions?” “Yes.” “In no other way?” “None.” “Then, as Mr. Sibley said this morning, it is very mysterious,” Nick dryly declared, rising to go. “So many think, as I said this morning.” “I will say, Madame Victoria, that I had no more malicious design in coming here in disguise than that of proving the validity of some of your claims to occult powers. I might add, too, that you have given me one of the most curious problems of my life.” “Indeed!” “I shall, however, make it a point to—solve the problem.” Madame Victoria laughed, and eyed him oddly from under her drooping lids. “If you do solve it, which involves learning how I get these impressions, Detective Carter, you will do more than I can,” she said, rising to bid him adieu. “Then I certainly shall, Madame Victoria, do more than you can,” Nick quietly declared, as he accepted her proffered hand. “You think so, eh?” “I do, madame! I have one very pronounced trait of character, which may be of some interest to you.” “What is that?” “I never drop a mystery, Madame Victoria, until it has—ceased to be a mystery!”