Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 223 the whole situation to you, and then [ will listen with the deepest respect to your words of wisdom.” The American, like many sturdy fellows, conscious of their physical stfength and courage, was inclined to laugh at danger, declining to cross bridges until he came to them. But it’s a good thing to know beforehand, sometimes, just where the bridges are located. That was the principal Struth- ers went on; he was no less brave than Cottrell, in his cool, deliberate way, but he believed in reducing danger to a minimum, and then accepted what might follow with all calmness. These two friends made a splendid team for any adventure; for the good qualities one lacked the other possessed. Cottrell led Struthers a little distance off from the others, to where they found a log of driftwood beached high by the tide. They seated themselves upon it, and the Englishman was informed of every little detail that had oc- curred since Cottrell’s arrival at the chateau. ‘““So you see,” said the young American, in conclusion, “the count dare not appeal to the police in any case, for fear of the consequences to himself. Nor for the same reason would he dare openly to try to oust me by force. As for the old marquis, nothing is to be feared from that quarter, as he 1s tempo- rarily laid.up with the gout, and knows only what his son chooses to tell him, which isn’t everything, you can depend upon it.” “As I understand it, then,” remarked Struthers, in his dry, lawyer-like style, “ the count desires either his cousin’s hand or her death, for in either case he would get what he wanted, namely, her property. Furthermore, being both an unscrupulous and desperate man, he its likely, nay certain, to go to any length to accomplish his purpose. That I takc it ts the exact situation.” “ Yes,’ assented Cottrell. “ That is the situation.” ‘‘ Then,” added Struthers gravely, “ you have the most dangerous possible antagonist to deal with. And, moreover, the fact that he is a well known army man and a relation of the Countess de Villiers, while you are nothing but a poor dependent of hers, puts you at a great disadvantage.” “TI realize all that,” replied Cottrell gloomily, “ and the only thing for us to do 1s to play a waiting game and not let the count take us unawares.” “ That is it precisely,” put in the Englishman, “and until you know the countess’ life or honor to be in danger, you can make no positive move. The count will undoubtedly try to dispose of you by stratagem, thinking then to have a clear field, or else———” Here Struthers paused and looked out over the tossing water. “ Welle” asked Cottrell. “ Or else he will try to kidnap the countess herself, possibly to keep her prisoner under his father’s roof. The old boy might easily convince himself, and the civil authorities as well, no doubt, that forcible detention was justifi- able. He might put in the plea that she was not morally responsible.” “ But what good would that do to the count?” asked Cottrell. “ Simply keeping her a prisoner would not pay his army debts.” Struthers turned slowly around on his companion with a grim look on his ordinarily genial face. pS GORGE OOO @ UN ceo