The Argosy, Vol. XXV, No. 1 — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

92 BY RIGHT OF SWORD. wife, her friend, is staying with her to help in case of need. And if she were guilty, I should not give her to my sister for a friend.”’ ‘" You are the devil!’’ The words forced themselves through his teeth. I had picked my words deliberately ; and it was the shrewdest thing I could have done. He left the room without another word, going through a doorway behind him; and calling to some one he whispered some instruc- tions. 7 . ‘“You have sent? You are right,’’ I said, when he returned. ‘‘ And now call off these bloodhounds of yours; and so long as you play fair with me, my sister and your wife can be friends. And no longer. One other condition. Give me two police permits to cross the frontier on special business —one for myself and one for my sister. You may not be sorry if I decide to take a holiday.’’ “I cannot give them, and you cannot leave,’’ he answered. ‘‘ Write me the permits. I'll see about using them.”’ ‘“No; I cannot write them, If I did, they would be canceled tomorrow by the Ministry of the Interior.’? “Why?” ‘“'The fact is what I say. You cannot leave Russia.”’ ‘‘I care nothing for that. Write them—or we resume this duel, M. Tueski.’’ He was a changed man. He was so accustomed to exact implicit obedi- ence to his will, and to ride rough shod over every one about him, that now he was beaten, his collapse was utter and complete. He was absolutely over- come by the pressure I could threaten and he thought I was blackguard enough to apply. For once at least my old black character did me a good turn. He acted like a weak child now, entirely subjugated by my will. He wrote the permits as I directed. As he was writing it occurred to me there must be some influence behind the scenes which told with him. Else, why did he not forthwith write out the order for my imprisonment? He had done it hundreds of times before in the case of men infinitely more influential than myself. His signature would open the doors of any prison in Russia. It suggested itself that it was this reason which was at the bottom of the attempt to get me killed. He dared not follow out his own desire. ‘One thing puzzles me,’’ I said coolly, as I took the permits. ‘‘ Why haven’t you, instead of writing these, written an order packing me off to jail ? What is this power behind you ?”’ "I may live in hope, perhaps,’ he returned. ‘‘ Your sword and your shrewdness may carry you far ; and some day as far as the jail you speak of. I shan’t fail to write that order when the time comes.”’ I left him with that. As I quitted the house a man pressed close to me, and I turned to see what he wanted. ‘There was no one else about. ‘Ts it done?’’ he whispered. I looked at him keenly ; but I had never seen him before, I thought. Eomichbooksico