The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

499 THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. Bras-de-Fer spoke with the cool unconcern of a critic, aad q Ta eyed the angry woman, with head on one side, as if exam- © ining a statue. Lete-de-Fer, somewhat angry, Baawhat awed, somewhat ; - curious, silently watched to see which of his superiors would come off victor. Elise emitted a low, stifled shriek of rage. This man dared to laugh at her. ‘<Out, out!” She could har dly speak the words. The outstretched arm waved passionately Fasieaizal the door and a foot stamped vehement emphasis on the floor. «“ Yes, on the whole, I like you best so. Very beautiful, Pine andeeds”’ The nervous little hand sought the pocket. A bound, a flash. A little dagger cut the air, and—— A low laugh from Bras-de-Fer. The woman sat on the lounge. ‘< Poisoned, eh?” Bras-de-Fer examined the glistening steel. ‘“ Yes, it's poisoned. Madam, accept my sincerest hom- age. You and I shall be able to do good work together. I have looked for just such awoman alongtime. I’m glad I have found you at last. It’s all right, amv.” ‘Turning to T'ete-de-Fer. __ ‘“No need for jealousy. Loving is out of my line. I merely wanted such a woman, and ef He looked calmly at the furious creature he had forced to git down. | ‘*] have found her.” Tete-de-Fer stared from one to the other. He accepted what Bras-de-Fer said, just as he said it. He had told Elise she did not know him. Now she did. | And Elise? © Bras-de-Fer had laughed at her fury. She had struck her fangs at him. He had still laughed. She looked at this man again. She knew within herself that this man was her master, Woman-like, she accepted the-situation. Woman-like, she did not say so. ‘Some other time,” she said. ar 6 — » «= ~* - -_ a, ps - - ea ; a: 7 a : toa = ~~ s,, . comicbooks.com