The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

“8 BY RIGHT OF SWORD. Deviusky’s infatuation for Olga was perfectly well known, and my former second seemed particularly impressed by it. Since the duel I had seen more of him than of any other man, and I liked him. I could be with him more safely than with others, moreover, because he had seen so little of the unre- generate Alexis. Every man who had been at all intimate with my former self I now avoided altogether, because of the risk of detection—although this risk was of course diminishing with every day that passed. ‘©T don’t like what you say, Petrovitch,’’ said Hssaieff, after he had thought it over. ‘‘I’m convinced Devinsky’s a dangerous man; and if he attempts to nee things up with you, iy sii upon it he’s got some ugly reason behind. ‘‘ A reason in petticoats,’’ said I ean ‘“A brother’s a charming fel- low—to a man in love with the sister.’ ‘‘No doubt; but he thought he was going to kill. the ‘ charming fellow ’ in that duel. Why did he go away ; and where did he go? ”’ ‘He didn’t tell me his private business, naturally.’’ “Vet I’m much mistaken if it didn’t in some way concern you.’’ ‘*T don’t see how.’’ ‘We don’t see the sun at midnight, man; but that’s only because there’s something in the line of sight. Other people can see it clearly enough.’’ ‘“Well, I don’t see this sun, any way; and I’m not going to worry about it.’ ‘““Have you ever heard of Durescq? Alexandre Durescq?’’ he asked after a pause. ‘“No, never,’’ I answered promptly, making one of those slips which it was impossible for me to avoid in my private chats. Essaieff’s next words showed me my blunder. “My dear fellow, you must have heard of him. Durescq, the duelist. The man who has the reputation of being the best oeeggrigeoren in the Russian army. ‘Ihe French felloe who was naturalized and clapped a ‘c’ into his name and cut off the tail of it to make Duresque into Durescq. Why, he was here last year and dined with us at the mess. Devinsky brought him. You had joined us then, surely, and must have been introduced by Devinsky. You must remember him.’ ‘Oh, that Durescq!’’ I eatitined: as if recalling the incident. ‘<< ’Mhat Durescq!’ There’s no other for the whole Russian army,’’ said Essaieff dryly. ‘‘ And if he heard you say it, he’d want an explanation quick enough.”’ “‘T was thinking for a minute of another Duresque, EHssaieff, whom I knew much better. Different sex, whose killing of men was ina different way.’’ I smiled as I made the equivocation. ‘‘T met him this morning,’’ said my companion, noticing my remark and looking more thoughtful than before. ‘‘I wonder if Devinsky’s absence has anvthing to do with Durescq’s presence, and whether » He paused and looked at me. ‘‘It would be a damnably ugly business ; but Devinsky’s not incapable of it; and so far as I know, the other man’s worse. Moreover, I Eomichbooks (S@)