The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE AMERICAN MARQUIS, le pce ‘That is of no consequence,” ‘“Ts it not?’ Well, mon am, let me say to you two things. First, [ do not like masked strangers to come to me at night. ‘Second, if they do come I throw them down | stairs.” The prospect of an encounter seemed to give the artist — positive pleasure, and his eyes sparkled as he made a quick step forward. “Stop!” said the stranger, coolly; ‘‘I know you can _ throw me down stairs to-night. You are stronger than [ am. But what good would it do you? I could come here again a week hence.” ‘‘Ah, yes, I see,” cried Clinton, with a short laugh. «¢You mean that in a week from now I shall be so feeble from starvation that I cannot throw you down.” “< Exactly.” “7 admire your forethought, but not your wisdom. You 93 only make me more anxious to take advantage of the golden opportunity. It will give me great pleasure to throw you down stairs.” Ihe artist was still smiling, but the reckless humor in him was shown in the quick way in which he laid hold of the stranger. —** You don’t know yet what I came for, monsieur.’ On the point of being thrown down stairs; the man in the - mask was nevertheless quite cool. “True,” ejaculated Clinton, releasing the man; ‘‘I can learn that first and remove you: afterward. Business before pleasure, you know. Sit down.” ‘* Thank you.” “Shall I take off your mask, or will you save me the trouble?” ‘‘Neither, if you please. You must, in fact, promise that you will not seek to penetrate my disguise, or I will not reveal my business.” + ** That promise will not prevent me from dropping you over the balusters, will it?” Rites Oy “no. You may do that afterward, if you wish.” <All right, monsieur. You have my promise, and I wait eet, for the happy moment when our interview shall have ende With mock politeness the artist sat down. The stranger began as if telling a story: , Eomichooks.co