The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. 117 et : Certainly. But I can’t help thinking of that night. Do you remember how you wanted to. postpone the episode of the window? Dear me! how delightful it is to go over old times, isn't 1?” ‘“ If you do not tell me your business with me I shall re- join my friends.” ‘“Why, if you are really in such a hurry, I suppose I must let you go. Lon soir. I thought maybe I could tell you what I had to say on the way home; but it will do when you join us.’ There was a hidden meaning in this speech that made Alphonse uneasy. He said: ‘¢ Join you—where?” | ‘“At home, of course. You'll be home by and by, won’t ou?” re ohae Oe Home! What home?” ‘“Oh, there, now, don’t quibble over terms. A hotel isn’t home, of course, exactly, but I always call home any place where my wife is.’ “Your wife!’ ‘Yes. Why, what’s the matter with, you, Axohoudt Have you forgotten that I married your sister, Grace?” The artist laughed in his peculiarly diabolical way, and Alphonse feit as if he could strangle him then and there. - It was evidently useless to resist. He must in some way gain time, and, in the meantime, there was nothing for it but to submit. He put aside all attempt at pretense of ignorance, and - witha laugh he endeavored to make careless, he said: sae Oy give in. Wait till lexcuse myself, and I will fol- low you.’ ‘* Always the same obliging fellow, dear brother.” ‘“<T’ll oblige you yet,” murmured Alphonse, under his breath, as he went toward his friends and bade them adieu. When they were in the street, Clinton turned to him. ‘‘ Mon ami! disagreeabie as it may be to you to recall old memories, | must for a moment take you back to that November night when I made the gentle, loving Grace, my wife. You offered me twenty thousand francs then.” **'T'en thousand, if you please.” ‘< Oh, well, we will’ not quarrel over a trifle; say tone thousand. I refused the money then. I'll take it now.” Comichbooks-co