The Argosy, Volume XLIV — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

WHEN I WAS CZAR. them, monsieur. The prince will doubt- — less inform you in good time. ~ “Then I am not going,” I said firmly. “Pray consider, monsieur. Resist- ance will be quite useless.” “J have considered, I assure you; and I shall resist. If your instructions are to kill or maim me, you may obey them, if you wish. But I do not move from here alive, and as I am a citizen of the United States, my death may be a circumstance to attract attention.” “Let me persuade you, monsieur.” “You can try if you like;” and try he did for over a quarter of an hour of invaluable time; at the end of which he was in despair, and I was as obdurate as ever. “When Mr. Marvyn returns and ad- vises me to go, I'll go; but until then I refuse pointblank. You are too courteous a man to make a good butch- er, I am sure, and I can put up an ex- cellent fight at need.” “TIT must obey my orders, monsieur,” he replied tersely. ‘And as an American citizen I re- fuse to budge without knowing the charge against me, and until my em- bassy’s people are here.” “I am deeply sorry, but I have no alternative;” and he rose. © Then Helga came to the rescue with a suggestion. “Had you not better return to the prince with our decision? My husband is a foreigner and a friend of his majesty; and the situation is altogether unusual.” “It is useless,” he persisted. “Very well, then,” I said. “ We'll clear the decks. I was getting ready for a long journey, monsieur, and have arms here. If there is bloodshed, the responsibility will not be mine. I am innocent of any offense, and you may rely on it, I will not be taken alive.” This was very unexpected, I could see, and he hesitated. “I will acquaint his highness,” he said after a pause, and left us again. “Do you mean to fight, Harper? ” asked Helga anxiously. “Not I. We've nothing to fight with,” I said, smiling. “But we’ve gained twenty minutes and more. I wish Marvyn would come.” C. OUgle —6©:181 “You took me in. I thought you were in earnest,” she replied in a tone of intense relief. M. Drougoff was away longer than cven I had hoped; and when he re- turned he had a surprise for us. “His highness himself is coming, monsieur,” he announced shortly. “I don’t see that he can do any good; but thet’s his matter,” I said, and then we all stood in silence. The shuffling of many feet was heard, the door was thrown wide open, and the indomitable old man was carried in lying on an improvised litter, with two doctors at his side. They set him down in the middle of the room and the bearers drew away. “IT have come to see my orders obeyed,” he said, with a glance at re ust and then at Helga and my- self. His voice was weak, but his manner implacably stern. “Then you have come to see an ugly fight,” said I as firmly as though I meant resisting to the last. “Arrest them both, Drougoff. You have my authority for using any force necessary.” “What is the charge against us?” I demanded. “Do your duty, you, Drougoff,” he said viciously. | Drougoff signed to his men. “Go forward, Helga. You can waste a little time yet,” I whispered. She did splendidly again. She clung to me for a moment as if overcome, and then with a passionate distress bade me good-by. The men held aloof during this; and when she went to them she contrived very cleverly to get rid of a little more time. But the way was clear at length and Drougoff stepped toward me. I drew back and put my hand in my pocket. “You will come no further, mon- sieur, or your life will be the forfeit.” He stopped abruptly. “Let vour men fire if he resists,” said the relentless old man. Drougoff gave the necessary orders, and for a tense moment I looked along the barrels of three leveled revolvers. “Come, monsieur,” said Drougoff. (GO) MICOOO COL