The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

BY RIGHT OF SWORD. 91 ‘“But this does not answer my question—why do you seek to have ime assassinated ? ”’ ‘‘ Siberia is getting overpopulated,’’ he returned, manifestly angry at my refusal. ‘You mean it’s easier to kill than to exile.’”’ ‘‘One must have some regard for its morals, too,’’ he sneered, with a contempt at which my rage took fire. : I looked at him with a light in my eyes which he could read plainly enough. 3 “You are a coward, M. Tueski,’’ said I sternly ; ‘‘ because you presunie upon the office you hold to say things which, without the protection that guards you, you would not dare to let between your teeth.’’ ‘It is useless to talk in that strain to me,’’ he said shortly. ‘‘I know you.” - ‘“ No—by heaven you don’t—yet. But I’ll let you know something of me now.. Men say you know no fear; that your loves, desires, emotions, are all dead—all, save ambition. I’ll test that. This plot you have laid against my life is your own private revenge for some fancied wrong. You have sought to carry it out even at the very moment when you had had a hint to guard me. It was cunningly laid, and nearly succeeded; and then you would have set the blame down at Devinsky’s door.”’ He listened without making a sign; quite impassively. But the mere fact that he did listen showed me I was striking the right note, and further that he wished to see what I meant to do. ‘Go on,’’ he said contemptuously, when I paused. ‘‘I can prove this ; aye, and I will prove it, even if I go to the emperor himself ; and prove it—by your own wife.’’ He could not wholly conceal the effect of this. He knew the strength of the threat. ‘More than that,’’ I cried then, quickening my speech and showing much more passion. ‘‘ You know what the world says about me and your wife. You showed me you knew it, when I told you just now that she was in my rooms when your men came to try to take my life. You have dared to smirch my honor in regard to women; and you have lied. So far as your wife is concerned, there has never been a thought of mine toward her tainted with dishonor. So far as lam concerned she is virgin pure. But, by heaven, beware how you taunt me! It lies with you to say whether her reputation shall be safe after e | I left the sentence unfinished, and the change in the man’s manner showed me how he was inwardly shrinking and wincing at my desperate words. ‘“Go on. Whatdo you want?’’ He spoke after a great effort and strove to keep his voice at the dead level of official "lifelessness. But the man was an inward fire of rage and jealousy. 3 ‘This duel is not my seeking, but yours, M. Tueski,’’ I continued. ‘‘ And for my part I would as soon have a truce. But if we are to fight on, I will use every weapon I can lay my hand on—and use them desperately. You can prove the truth of what I say. Send round some one to my rooms and fetch away the scoundrel who isthere. My sister will let him go. Your ComcoooxSs (S@)