Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

THE ARGOSY. VoL. XXIX. JANUARY, 1899. No. 2. THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. BY DOUGLAS ZABRISKIE DOTY. ‘The story of a secretaryship procured under strange circumstances and which led to extraordi- nary developments— The fair mistress of the Chateau de Frenoir, her relentless foes, her faithful friends, and what came of . the clash between them. (Complete in This Issue.) CHAPTER I.—THE ADVERTISEMENT IN “ THE TIMEs.” A HEAVY, yellowish gray fog wrapped the city of London with the darkness of night, though it was early noon. Now and then a slow moving vehicle, with the driver at the horse’s head, loomed suddenly up out of the impenetrable mist, to be as quickly swallowed out of sight again. In a cozy sitting room in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, with shades drawn and gas lighted, sat two young men. One of them, whose apartment it was, roasted his feet on the fender and puffed leisurely at a great brier pipe. He was English ; one could tell it by his ruddy complexion, the cut of his clothes, and the inflection of his voice. He was a stocky, well built young man of about six and twenty, with an interesting and thoughtful face. His companion was clearly a Yankee, tall, lithe, and high strung by na- ture; and possessed of the wiry activity and keen alertness characteristic of his race. He was sitting by a table, on which were the remnants of their late lunch, reading the advertising sheet of the Times. Suddenly he gave an exclamation: “ Dick!” he cried; “listen to this.” Then slowly and distinctly he read aloud: ‘“ WANTED, a young man of education, speaking both French and English, to act as private secretary to author. Applicants for the position will’ please forward photo- graphs and full particulars. Liberal salary. Address Jean Daron, Santilly, France.’’ “What do you make of it?” queried the American, throwing down the paper. Dick Struthers looked thoughtfully at the ceiling. “ Something rather fishy about it, I should say,” was his rejoinder. “ It does sound unusual, ” continued the other, “ especially that part about I CORNUCOO© YN ceo