The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

122 | BY RIGHT OF SWORD, ‘Is justice always done openly? Of course we might do that, but he would laugh at our efforts. We might get him assassinated ; but he is too powerful and the noise of the act would defeat the very object we have in view. He isa swordsman worthy of your skill.’’ I sat thinking, but not in the groove he guessed. We’ll make your sister’s fortune as well,’’ he said, raising the terms. ‘She shall make a marriage into one of the best families in Russia, and found a family of the highest distinction. ‘Think, lieutenant.’’ I was thinking about as hard as I could, but no opening offered itself. "I must have time to determine,’’ I said. ‘‘It seems to me that I run the chance of playing the catspaw with all the flame for my share. What guarantee have I that if I do this and am successful I shall not then be deemed—too foolish to be trusted at large, as you say?” ‘‘ First my honor ; secondly, your betrothal to my sister ; and thirdly, her feeling for yourself.’’ “And if I refuse ; Siberia, I suppose ?’’ ‘“ No, not so far as that,’’ he replied lightly. ‘But what if I feign te consent and carry the story to the man you threaten ?”’ ‘There is that chance, of course. But in the first place he would not believe you, lieutenant ; and in the second, if he did, neither you nor he could do any harm: and in the third, you would have me for an enemy. And JI am pleasanter as well as safer as a friend.’’ ‘* How long will you give me to decide ?”’ ‘“A week. Wecan then announce the betrothal just before the emperor’s visit here, and gain the imperial blessing on so righteous a marriage—between a brave man and a beautiful woman, each motived by the highest patriotic feelings for Russia.’’ With this half sneer ringing in my ears, he sent me away. I went home in a very unenviable frame of mind; and my temper was not improved by meeting my old opponent, Devinsky, near my rooms. For the moment I was powerless to think of any possible means of relief, My helplessness was so complete as to be almost ludicrous; and if it had not been for Olga, I would have just let myself be dragged along by the singular chain of events which had coiled theinselves round me. I must rouse myself to some sort of effort for her sake, I saw that of course. But a couple of hours’ thinking only increased my utter per- plexity, and I went off to bed to try if sleep would clear my wits. I resolved to see Olga the next day as soon as possible after my regimen- tal duties were over. There was but one thing possible. She must go at once, and we must try to hit on some plan by which she could escape at any hazard. But my regimental work was heavier than usual, and when it was over a meeting of the officers was called in reference to the impending visit of the Czar. It was thus late in the afternoon before I could go to Olga. At the house, astounding news awatted me. Arthur W. Marchmont. (TO BE CONTINUED. ) Gomicbooks: (So)