The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ee THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. «“ Your name is Clinton Hastings; your picture was re- jected by the Academy; you are hungry now; unless you. have aid you will starve to death; you have no ‘friends—no ~~ hope.” Clinton bowed, smiled cheerfully, and said: | ‘‘ As I have already partially suggested, you : are, perhaps, the devil. I think I must use the window instead of the stairs. But go on; you interest me.’ sf Lo. morrow you may have ten thousand frances, if you will.” “Then you are really the devil, and it is my soul you want. Dear me! Now, lI didn’t suppose my soul was worth so much.” ‘‘ Keep your soul; I only want your body for to-night.” ‘Ah, yes! I comprehend now; you wish me to kill some- body for you. Really, I am sorry the window isnot higher.” ‘‘T am glad you can be so merry.” “So am 1.” ‘*My proposition is this: You are to marry a woman ~ whose face you shall not see——” - ‘‘ Your family was born masked, then?” << Whose name you shall not know, and whom you musé leave as soon as the marriage ceremony is over.” ‘‘What a charming mystery! Why, it is like the good old times. But go on; you begin to amuse me.’ | ‘You will let me blindfold you, and take you to the place _ where the bride is. After the wedding I will give into your hands the ten thousand francs, and bring you back here, still blindfolded.” «‘ Are you ready now? Shall I open the window?” _**Do you refuse? Starvation if you do, and plenty if you do not.” «Positively, monsieur, you mortify me. I knew, my- self, that I was a fool, but how on earth did. you dis- gover 1t?” **T do not understand you, monsieur.’ _ “Shall I explain, and then drop him a or shall. I ee him out at once?” ‘The young artist asked himself this question so calmly that the masked man was visibly affected by it, and moved uneasily in his chair. Evidently his proposition had not been accepted, as he had expected. He ailected com- posure, however. comicbooks.co