Argosy, Volume XXIII — Index Page, 1897 — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

A STUDY IN BLUE. 765 The agitating crisis of affairs had been kept secret from her. Not one of the five judges could shake off his stern mood sufficiently so as to answer her back as lightly as she spoke. Gertrude was slightly affronted at this un- accustomed want of courtesy. ‘I shall go,’’ she said. ‘‘I can see that I am not wanted !’’ She disappeared. But she left behind her, as it were, the ‘‘ gentle dew of mercy,’’ and Norbert could not resist its influence. ‘It is too horrible to think of putting these men to death when she is by,’’ he thought. Then aloud: ‘‘ My dear friends, there is one difficulty (which has perhaps also occurred to you) in the way of executing summary justice on these criminals. We stand in the position of being at the same time both judges and prosecutors in the case. I cannot but own for my part that we have the strongest personal interest in their death, inasmuch as it would lessen the consumption of pages, and consequently increase the amount of our breathing gas. “It appears to me that this is sufficient to render our sentence invalid. It is true that these men have deserved death ; but that does not give us the right to be their executioners. I propose, eee ee to grant them a respite, and take them before an impartial tribunal on earth.”’ The doctor, the baronet, and Virgil agreed. But Kaddour screamed aloud, and nearly choked with anger. “I quite understand, and, to a certain extent, sympathize with your feel- ings,’’ said Norbert to him. ‘‘ But it is settled. The prisoners shall have the benefit of a respite. All that I can do for you, my dear Kaddour, is to put them under your surveillance, as well as under that of Virgil, but I forbid you to ill treat them in any way, or even to speak to them at all. You have only to see that they do not go beyond the limits of the prison.”’ ‘Pll take good care of that !’’ cried the dwarf, his eyes aflame with dis- appointed anger. ‘‘I shall begin by walling up all the openings, and leave them only just enough space to breathe through.”’ ‘That is precisely what I term an unnecessarily hard measure,’’ said Norbert. ‘‘ Wall up by all means, but not more than is needful.’’ A, Laurie. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) ———E A STUDY IN BLUE. THE sky is just as blue, today, As when I used to meet her Down in the lane. No bud of May Was more unspoiled or sweeter. And she is still as fair, they say— Would that her heart were truer !— The sky is just as blue, today , But I’m a great deal bluer ! Eomichooks (EC)