The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 133: what you’re looking at

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

“THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. SH Re ii 129 pS ARP? he minteened ‘¢ Here’s one for a thousand, pay- , able to bearer. It will be easier to alter that than to risk a signature.” , | With these words he slipped the check from the pile, and placed it in the waste-basket under some torn bits of aper. | | Bras There! Now if he misses it and makes a fuss about it, V’'ll help him find it.” | Alphonse was in his seat, buried in his book, when the - marquis returned. - : Merely glancing at his brother-in-law, the marquis wrote afew more checks and closed the check-book. Then he took a pile of bills and commenced sorting them, putting with each one a check to pay it with. + Alphonse watched him stealthily. Finally the marquis’took a bill and searched vainly among _ the checks for the one to pay it. ‘‘Hum!” he muttered, half-aloud. <‘‘I thought I had made a check for this; but, I suppose, I didn’t.” | Thereupon he opened his check- book again, and made out another check. Alphonse heaved a sigh of relief. ‘We are going to D’Iberri in a week, Alphonse,” said the marquis, as he arose to go. ‘‘I suppose you won't go with us.’ ‘No, I thank you. Paris is good enough for me.” | When the marquis had left the room, Alphonse wicked the check out of the basket, and placing it in his pocket, went to his room and locked himself in. Later in the day he presented himself at the bank, and handed in a check for twenty-one thousand francs, Lhe teller being accustomed to paying checks to Alphonse, handed him the money without a word. During the afternoon the marquis, with a troubled expres- sion on his face, hurried into the bank, and asked to see the cashier in private. When they were alone together the marquis exhibited the most profound grief, and seemed with difficulty to command > himself enough to say: ‘“ Monsieur, I come to you, not only as to the manager of e this institution, but as to a man of honor in whom I have ' confidence.” | “Why, my lord, what can have happened?” Eomichbooks’co