The Argosy — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

BY RIGHT OF SWORD.* A tale of Moscow, the Nihilists, and the Czar—The extraordinary experiences of an Englishman who assumes the name and obligations of a Russian army officer—Complications that bring the bold adventurer within shivering distance of Siberia, and the tactics which earn for him a notable nickname. SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTERS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED. HAMYLTON TREGETHNER is an Englishman who has lived a great part of his life in Russia. Deceived by the woman he loves, he is about to go to St. Petersburg to offer himself for the field in the event of war with Turkey, hoping somebody will put a bullet through him, when at the Moscow railway station he is approached by a stranger, Olga Petrovitch, who takes him for her brother Alexis, to whom he bears a marvelous resemblance. ‘This Alexis is a good for nothing roysterer, a lieutenant in the Russian army. He has become involved. ina quarrel with Major Devinsky, who persecutes Olga with unwelcome attentions, and fearing to meet the major on the dueling field, is about to flee in disguise. ‘Tregethner beapines interested in the case, and being reckless of what he does in any event, gives Alexis his passport as Hamylton Tregethrier and decides to remain in. Moscow as Alexis Petrovitch. He fights the duel with Devinsky, utterly routing him, but presently finds himself in a tangle because of a love affair his prede- cessor had with Paula Tueski, the wife of the chief of police. She is deceived, as are all other friends of the lieutenant, to say nothing of the Nihilists, with whom it turns out he has had dealings. The latter commission him to assassinate Paula Tueski’s husband, but Paula kills him herself with Alexis’ dagger, the hilt of which she holds in readiness to exhibit in case Alexis offends her. Meantime Tregethner meets at a ball a beautiful and powerful princess, sister to Prince Bilbassoff, high in government service. The princess takes a great fancy to him, which she is at no pains to conceal, and the prince promises the lieutenant his sister’s hand and great honors if he will consent to put out of the way a certain high dignitary, who, it is claimed, has insulted the princess. Realizing by now that he loves Olga, and that Olga loves him, T’regethner is in sore straits to know a way out, and in the height of his perplexities is confronted by new trouble on presenting himself one day for his customary call on his ‘‘sister.”’ CHAPTER XIX—OLGA’S ABDUCTION. . [HE Countess Palitzin asked at once if I knew where Olga was. I looked at her in astonishment ; and then she told mea message had come from me early in the forenoon asking Olga to go round at once to my rooms. She had gone, promising to return soon or send word. She had done neither, and a six hours’ absence had made the old lady anxious. ‘‘ She should have been back before this,’’ I said quietly, not wishing to add to her alarm. ‘‘ Who do you say came for her ?”’ ‘Your servant, Borlas, Olga told me.’’ I tried to reassure her that all was right, though I did not at all like the the look of things, and I hurried back to my rooms to question Borlas. He had not been there on my return from barracks, and he was not there now, This story began in the July tissue of 'THE ArRGosY. The two back numbers will be matled toany address on receipt of 20 cents. * Copyright, 1597, by Arthur W. Marchmont. Gomicbooks (E(0)