The Argosy — page 391: what you’re looking at

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

In a Dangerous Strait. 373 which may as well be settled now as later. I have been thinking,” he continued, addressing the engraver, “that it might be more satis- factory to have our agreement about the etchings in writing. You are contented with the terms I proposed when we parted last night?” ‘* More than contented ; they are far too liberal,” said Gilbert. ‘** On the contrary, in accepting them you leave me your debtor,” was the courteous reply, as de Fontenay opened a writing case on the table. “Then will you kindly put your signature to this memorandum? You see,” he added laughing, “I am nothing if not business-like—the result of my residence in England, I suppose.” The young man took the paper from his hand, and was about to affix his signature without looking at the contents when his friend interrupted him. ‘My good fellow, have I to teach you, a prac- tical, cautious Englishman, never to sign a document without read- ing it? Why even our feather-brained de Sanzac would know better than that.” Gilbert laughed, and putting up his eyeglass glanced through the memorandum. “It is perfectly correct,” he said, as he dipped his pen in the ink. At the same moment, the vivacious Vicomte, stretching across to reach the cognac bottle, contrived to upset his coffee, which poured in a stream across the table. ‘“* Maladroit / ” exclaimed the host, springing to his feet to avoid being inundated. “I beg ten thousand pardons,” drawled the other, who, however did not seem much disconcerted by his mishap. ‘‘ There is no great harm done,” rejoined de Fontenay ; “TI will ring for Luigi presently. What has become of the memorandum r— Oh, here it is, on the floor,” he added, stooping to pick it up. Without looking at it again, Gilbert signed his name and handed him the paper. “So—that is settled,” de Fontenay said with a satisfied smile, and a glance at the other two, who were smiling also. ‘‘ And now,” he continued, “I will show you the engraving I mentioned, which you have kindly promised to copy for me. It has no particular merit as a work of art, but there are circumstances which render it particularly interesting and valuable—as my friends can tell you.” ** Parblen /" muttered Docquois, with his ill-favoured smile; while the Vicomte, who seemed to have had quite as much wine as was good for him, burst into an immoderate fit of laughter. “Interesting and valuable!” he echoed, when he could speak: TI believe you! Show me the work of art which comes up to it. But let us see this treasure, de Fontenay. Where do you keep it ?— In an iron safe? In a jewelled shrine ?” “No,” said the other calmly; ‘I keep it—in my purse,” and opening his porte-monnaie he drew out a folded paper which he tossed across the table to Gilbert. The other two approached and watched the young man curiously comicbooks.com