Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 232: what you’re looking at

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

Seer ee wy ep TTHE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 225 Jean had already recovered his breath, and was the same impassive little fellow as ever. “ That fox!’ he replied, fastening his vindictive little eyes on the pale, trembling form of the butler; “that fox came down here to play the spy on you. I got an inkling of what he was up to and tracked him out. He heard me behind him and tried to escape, but I held onto him. He gave me a bad stab, though, with his knife,” and Jean held up a bleeding hand, which he proceeded to bind up the best way he could with a handkerchief. “It’s a lie!” cried Louis, still shaking like a leaf; “ I swear to you, mon- sieur, it’s a lie! It’s just the other way about. Jean is the spy.” “T’m sorry to say I don’t believe you,” said Cottrell coolly. Then he gave Daron his revolver with which to keep guard over Louis, and drawing his friend aside, he asked his advice as to the disposal of their prisoner. “ He knows too much now to be allowed his liberty. He has already made us trouble enough.” Struthers thought a moment. “TI tell you what,” he exclaimed. “ We'll put him aboard the Albatross, and keep him in irons until after this affair is settled and then land him.” Cottrell approved of this plan, and Struthers blew his whistle, whereupon three of the gig’s crew ran up, followed by the captain. “ Take this fellow aboard, captain, and put him in irons,” said Struthers, pointing at the butler, who was thunderstruck at the sudden appearance of the sailors. .“ Aye, aye, sir!’ answered Captain Kent, his merry eyes twinkling as they always did under any excitement. As the men stepped forward to lay hands on him, Louis flung himself on the ground before Cottrell. ‘“ Don’t let them carry me off!” he screamed. “ They will murder me.” “Shut up!” growled Struthers, “or we'll have to gag you. You won't be hurt. Weare only going to detain you a little while aboard my boat ; that’s all.” | “Oh, monsieur! ” pleaded Louis, turning to the American again, “ let me free and I will serve you faithfully.” A cunning look crept into the corners of his eyes. “ You have but to pay me a little bigger wages than the marquis sees to it I have, and I am yours, body and soul.” Cottrell hesitated a moment; he might prove a valuable ally, but what was there to insure his not playing them false in any case? Nothing, absolutely nothing. ‘‘ My friend,” said Henry contemptuously, “ I would not trust you in my sight, let alone out of it. You must go where you will be out of harm’s way.” The fellow’s sallow face grew suddenly red with rage; his eyes gleamed malignantly. “IT can have you imprisoned for illegally putting me in irons,” he hissed. “ And once I am free, I will get even with you if it takes to my dying day.” “ If you don’t have a care,” put in Struthers sharply, “ you'll find that your dying day has already dawned. Here, Kent, off with him, and shut him up if he bellows.” 3 GONG OOO UN ceo