Argosy All-Story Weekly, August 9, 1924 — page 50: what you’re looking at

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

200 through the door and flung him violently into the passageway, “‘ and we shall discuss the terms of payment in your cabin.” He closed the door and stood against it -as he flicked his coat with his scented ’ker- chief before he returned to where Felice tearfully awaited him. True to his promise, he knocked at the door of his enemy’s cabin next morning, and he demanded admittance as Bourde- lais’s servant gruffly asked his business. The Swiss was still abed as D’Albret en- tered the room, and he turned a bruised -countenance toward the Gascon as he blinked uncomprehendingly upon him. - “Tam come, Bourdelais,” said D’Albret coldly, “ to settle the debt of which you spoke last night.” Bourdelais sat slowly up in his bed and he grunted painfully as he gently stroked his puffed face. A malevolent sneer over- spread his countenance as_ realization dawned upon his befuddled senses, and he angrily addressed his servant: “Inform M. d’Albret, Picard, that I con- sider his invasion of my cabin a rank im- pertinence. When I am dressed it may please me to grant him an interview. Show him out, Picard!” D’Albret smiled amusedly and, tossing a heap of disordered clothes from the seat of a chair to the floor, he calmly seated him- self. “Tell thy master, Picard,” he retorted, “ that it is my intention to remain here un- til the matter which brought me to this cabin has been settled to my satisfaction. And now, like a good fellow, swing open a port; the air in this apartment is foul.” Picard scowled nonplused upon the deb- onair Gascon, and he glanced toward his master in indecision. “Thowlt not touch the port!” cried Bourdelais angrily. “Open the door, Picard, and show this person out!” D’Albret sighed as he slowly arose to his feet and drew his sword. He tested the blade against the polished side of the bed ere he turned to Picard and quietly re- marked: “ T have commanded thee to let in fresh air to this fetid cabin, churl. It would pain me to stain my good blade with the ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. blood of an oaf like thee, and the Duchess would rightly resent the slur; nevertheless, if thou standest there— Ah, thy brain is not altogether addled!” he said, as the frightened Picard clumsily unhooked the wooden port and swung it open. ‘And now, my clever fellow, pray leave us,” continued D’Albret. “Thy master and I have much to discuss, and we would be alone.” The servant sullenly left the cabin, and D’Albret bolted the door behind him. He turned to Bourdelais and, kicking his clothes toward him, commanded him to arise and dress himself. In helpless fury the Swiss donned his crumpled clothes and when finally he stood before his enemy, entirely dressed, the Gas- con bade him be seated upon the edge of his bed. For a space he regarded the di- sheveled man with studied insolence, and then he curtly addressed him. ‘IT know not how you managed to gain the ear of his majesty,” he coldly said, “ for the king is not wont to listen to scoundrels and traitors, and did he know the base un- worthiness of the rogue to whom he intrust- ed his warrant you would not have left Paris alive.” He held up his hand as Bourdelais arose to his feet in impotent protest. “Be seated,” commanded the Gascon, “and hold your peace until I have done speaking with you. I journeyed from Spain, Bourdelais,” he resumed, “as soon as I was able to settle my affairs in that country, and I came to Rochefort for the sole purpose of confronting you and escort- ing you back to my royal master, who will be most anxious, once he learns of your perfidy, that you return to France—and because I swore to Our Lady that I would not rest until I had seen you safely lodged in the common jail of Paris. I have on two occasions spared your worthless life when I could easily have slain you.” Bourdelais shivered, although the morn- ing was warm, and he raised his ashen face, from which all marks of vindictiveness had fled, to the pitiless gaze of his Nemesis. ‘““T have done naught to warrant arrest and imprisonment,” whined the Swiss. “Surely my personal affair with Enrique COMmMicloo @ S (CO) nn