The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

THE GOLD DELUGE. 141 From this moment on the Chemeia obeyed neither rudder nor propeller. As though she were glued to the double cylinder, she was irresistibly drawn towards the English man o’ war, which now directed a blinding electric searchlight on the doomed ship. 3 ‘They have captured us with an electro magnet!” Alsloev exclaimed. ‘* We are lost !”’ Erik said nothing. He stared defiantly at the colossus, the railing of which seemed to be as high over the surface of the water as the top of a church steeple. When they reached the side of the monster ship a windlass creaked, and an officer who had descended ordered every one, without exception, to appear on board of the war vessel. Silently all obeyed, stepping on the platform sullenly in.groups of four. When they had reached the deck a small man, clad in a gorgeous uniform, approached and asked, ‘‘ Who is the owner of that vessel ?’”’ Erik stepped forward. ‘Is your name Poulsen ?”’ ‘‘ Yes, my name is Erik Poulsen,’’ he replied, and looked at the officer scornfully. ‘In the name of his majesty the Emperor of England, I declare you my prisoner !’’ CHAPTER XV.—ENGLAND’S ‘‘ INSANE’’ PRISONERS. ‘‘ WHERE have you placed the new patient ?’’ asked Dr. Richardson, the chief physician of the State Insane Asylum. ‘‘In No. 5, doctor,’’ replied the orderly. ‘That will not do,’’ the chief rejoined. ‘‘ He isa very dangerous patient, whom you must not lose sight of for one moment, and in no case allow him to come in contact with the other patients. You must take him to No. 13 and guard him carefully when he walks in the courtyard or I shall hold you strictly accountable.’’ ‘““ Very well, chief ; No. 13 then,’’ the orderly said, and vanished. ‘*Out here !’’ he called to Erik. ‘‘ Here!’’ Erik rose and measured the man with.a look of utter scorn and dis- dain. ‘“Do you really believe Iam insane?’’ he asked: ‘‘If you do you-are awfully mistaken,’’ he added, when no reply came. ‘“They all say that,’’ the orderly growled. ‘‘ No more dillydallying now. Out-—I say !”’ He pushed Erik before him towards the stairs until they reached the upper floor. ‘There he shoved Erik into a cell and locked the door. Erik found himself alone in a small room with padded walls and a bench having rounded corners. ‘There was a small window, placed high up on the wall and secured with strong iron bars, and the breaking of the surf on the rocks told Erik that he was in a cell facing the ocean. With a deep sigh he sat on the bench and rested his head in his hands. EOmicbooks (©)