The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

WHEN I WAS CZAR. BY ARTHUR W. MARCHMONT. Author of “ By Right of Sword,” “ A Dash for a Throne,” etc. The thrilling expériences of an American when he undertook a delicate mission on behalf of the : Russian emperor. : CHAPTER XXVIII. LOVE WILL HAVE ITS WAY. RINCE KALKOV was an opponent with whom it was dangerous to hesitate and fatal to appear discon- certed, so I shook myself up as quickly as I could and answered with a smile: “"That’s a very plausible story, your highness, but if you can do all this, why are you here? It’s not for your health, is it, or from any newly born af- fection or solicitude for us?” “No. I have made no such pretense,” he said dryly. “Then why?” * Because it will be less troublesome to recover the papers directly through you than indirectly from Mr. Marvyn. 1 merely wish you to see that they will be recovered, one way or the other.” “Then I think you’d better go to work indirectly, prince,’ I said, in a very deliberate tone. “If I don’t accept implicitly the explanation you've just given, don’t blame me. You must set it down against that knack of yours to say one thing and mean another. Yes, I+hink on the whole it had better be in- directly. I see a little flaw in your plan.” “Had we not better avoid person- alities and insults, M. Denver?” “ You mean about your little knacks? Is that an insult? I thought it was a canon of European diplomacy according to Talleyrand—that language is given us to conceal our thoughts. I meant it as an explanation, not an insult.” “You prefer to meet these charges ?” “ Oh, yes. I don’t see any difficulty in them. As for the murder charge, I hap- *This story began in the June tesue of THE ARGOSY. pen to have at command the evidence of the man who was with Vastic at the > time—and he can prove I acted in self defense.” “The testimony of a fugitive Nihil- ist,” he rapped out. “True, but still testimony; and as I’m an American, it will have to be a fair and open trial. There is also Mile. Helga’s evidence. Yes, on the whole I’m disposed to take that risk. ‘As to the treason business—do you really think you'd better prove that? It was your idea that I should play the part of emperor, and you furnished me with forged documents and other lies to get those papers back; and as you’re making it an international matter, it would make rather an awkward story. “Stil, do as you like. But you haven’t frightened me. I don’t think there’s a bullet in the cartridge. Go right ahead, anyway; pull the trigger and we'll see.” “T can do what I have said, neverthe- less, monsieur.” “ Possibly you think so—possibly, I say. But I don’t agree with you. You see, my father is not only a rich man, but has a heap of influence at the White House. ~ “If I remember, too, he has a bit of a grievance against Russia; and he’d make things hum a lot if you monkey with me. I hadn’t thought of bringing him into it, but I believe it would be the best thing. Helga and I were trying to think of the best way out when you came, and I’m hanged if I don’t think you’ve given me just the cue I wanted.” “You think, perhaps, he could save the mademoiselle ? ” The siz back numbers will be mailed to any address on receipt of 60 cents. *Copyright, 1903, by Arthur W, Marchmront. C. OUgle COMRRIC LOO COL