The Argosy, January 1906 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

aod “THE RAVENS OF THE RHINE. sieur speaks French excellently, but that is ngthing ; monsicur certain ones are sitting mo- tionless in the saddle. Even now I fancy I hear the flutter of the little pen- nons, and beneath each. pennon is the cap of a Uhlan.” Bosworth made a gesture of impa- tience. 7 “So that is it,” said he dryly. “ Well, there are no Uhlans here. T am alone. I am an American, and what I want most.is a roof and a place to sleep until morning. Do you understand?” “Tt is possible, but monsieur may be . lying,” answered the Frenchman calmly. “Tn any case, I will not open the door.” Bosworth swore softly. It began to look as though he must walk all night or pass the time till daylight under a cow- shed.. The desire to hurl his heavy walking- stick at the head above almost over- mastered him, but he said with forced - calmness: “Then it is possible that monsicur takes me for a Uhlan. Well, in the first place, I have no horse, being unable to procure one; in the secgnd, [ am an American, en route for Paris from across the frontier. Thirdly, I have walked for some hours, and not a Uhlan has ap- peared this side of the Rhine. Why is it that monsieur suspects there are Uhlans in the neighborhood ? ” The head in the window nodded violently. “Perhaps it is that monsieur takes me for a fool; thrice this day have cer- tain ones stopped before the door, and each bore the same tale. ‘The Uhilans have crossed the Rhine; look to youtself, friend Pierre, answer not a rude sum- mons at the door. Such things being so, none shall be admitted here after nightfall, for I understand perhaps better than monsieur thinks. These Uhlans are wolves; as wolves they lurk under cover of the bushes, their eyes gleaming fiercely in the darkness. Against stout stone walls they are power- less, but, once inside, they would destroy what I possess and murder me into the bargain.” “You. certainly are a fool,” said Bos- worth sharply. “ For were ‘the Uhlans _ here do you fancy a door would stop it is possible that. behind them? I tell you I ae traveled. fone = some hours; all I ask is a bed until morn- ing; it is worth ten francs.” : =s ‘There was a minute of silence, then ee the innkeeper replied. “Ten francs! Mother of God, but I would open for half that were it not as if is. But now a hundred francs. would not be sufficient; monsieur must seek shelter elsewhere.” = “So it seems,’ answered Bosworth = dryly. “ But where; in the fields? ” ae The innkeeper hesitated. = “ There is yet the chateau, if monsieur would care to try,” said he. ZS “Oh, the chateau! But perhaps they fear also the Uhlans,” answered Bos- . = worth dryly. “God, the Germans, or the devil, the | i marquis fears nothing,” replied the inn- keeper soberly. ; “And where is this éhateat? » Zs S “Straight on up the highway; in a = quarter of an hour monsieur may come — upon it.” ES Bosworth shrugged his shoulders. “Probably this chateau is in total darkness, and I shall have only m trouble for my pains,” thought he “ but anything is better than a night in the open fields.” Then, raising his voice: “And who may this marquis be hes | fears not God, the devil, or the dreaded ~ Uhlans? ” “Who but the Marguis de Luynes of the tenth generation of his house; it is evident monsieur is indeed a stranger, that he should ask such a question here.” “Fave I not told you?” cried the ~—. American impatiently. “To the devil with your chateaus and a Come down and open the door.” | “Ventre St. Gris! Not thotgh it was the emperor himself. Here I am safe; God knows what may be behind you in- the darkness,” responded the innkeepers fervently. * You are a fool,” retorted Bosworth angrily. “The rumor that a few Ger- — man lances have crossed the Rhine is sufficient to throw you into a panic. — = * What will you do, mon ami, when the < black and white pennons really flutter before your door ? Again I say you are a fool, monsieur.” se The Frenchman aed himselt a ape ae : = ere ‘ io : os ae See nc gr: ra >. — Mane — he = IMCD: