Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 7, 1928 — page 80: what you’re looking at

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

70 sertion might be discovered at any mo- ment. “There is not time to tell you of the danger now, Sweet! But I have said that you are my own, my dear wife. Best not deny it. Let them think we had a runaway marriage in Rouen. For only as my wife can you escape the marriage they plan for you here, with a man half black and wholly foul. “Promise, Violette—and some day we will seek a consecration to seal the vows we said in happier days.” “Your wife,” she murmured. “ I’ve dreamed so sweetly of it.” Basil caught her to his heart and kissed her eyes, her throat, and her lips. He felt the answering warmth of her arms and cheeks. They could only love and wait the passing of events, and take happiness from this interlude. “You are a friend of the emperor, Basil?” she asked. “No, Sweet. I am only a blunderer into the realms of joy, a puppet at the court of happiness.” “You mean that you are a jester, entertaining the court with your gifts -of dance and song, and wear cap and bells?” “ A cap of folly and bells of contri- tion, Sweet.” “Because you’ve made sport of the emperor, Basil?” * Because I’ve let him make a fool of me so soon.” “IT do not comprehend,” she paused, and because he lifted her hand to his lips he had no chance to explain. For at that moment the carriage came to a sudden halt, and from its window Basil saw flaming torches outlying an ave- nue which led to a broad veranda, and he recognized the dilapidated villa which he had seen that day, where sol- diers kept guard and the broken win- dow shutters had not been mended. The bridles of the carriage horses had been seized, and then had been led into the smoky light before a porte- ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. cochére where a crowd were gathered. Violette’s hands clung to Basil and his arms held her still closer, as he recog- nized on the porch steps the Baron de Banana. Some prophetic prescience warned the boy that this was the domicile of the pirate captain of Le Diable Noir, fallen into neglect during his absence, and now opened for his return. He did not know why their carriage had turned into that road, but in an- other moment the carriage door was opened and he had descended and as- sisted Violette to alight. He wrapped the folds of his cloak about her slender form and stood waiting. Between Trelawney and De Banana, recognition was mutual and unpleas- ant. The baron glared, then ripped out an oath. But there came a commotion from the roadside, and a coach gaudily painted in red and gold dashed up, with the black face of Emperor Chris- tophe leaning from its window. “You presume to order the route of your king?’ his voice boomed out. Baron de Banana cringed as from a blow. He ran down the steps sputter- ing an explanation. He pointed at Basil, chattering accusations, then with a desperate effort commanded his own speech : “This lady was promised me as wife, your majesty. I have your royal word. I’ve waited in great impatience for this hour.” “Your impatience shall be reward- ed, and no longer need you wait. The lady already has a husband, a circum- stance [ was not aware of when I first offered you this reward for a service you did not entirely perform.” “Did not perform?” sputtered the baron. “ Eleven guns from England await wnloading from Le Diable Noir.” “T asked for twice as many. But we will speak of that later. This lady, being wed, cannot be a part of that rich reward I offered.” COLPMIG OOO KS (E©)