Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 233: what you’re looking at

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

226 THE ARGOSY. Louis was shrewd enough to see that resistance was useless, and so, with one parting shot, he went off quietly enough with his captors. “ Monsieur Cottrell,” he said, snapping out his words like an angry dog, “ you think you are mighty clever, but I give you this word of warning: Lieu- tenant Count Rignault is one too many for you. Before three days are up you ll be a dead goose.” That’s as far as he got, for Kent brought his fist in contact with his jaw with a force that made his teeth rattle. Now will you keep a quiet tongue in your mouth! ” growled the captain in English. Louis did not understand the words, but he understood the action and in silence they led him away. “ I was just going to suggest something that that fellow Louis has uncon- sciously hit upon,” remarked Struthers, as he and his friend resumed their interrupted conversation, ‘‘ and that is, to discharge all the men servants at the chateau. Of course, have the countess do the deed, so as to make it legal, and not as coming from any outsider.” } “ Yes, that would be a good move, I think,” admitted Henry, “ but what would the countess do about running the establishment? It would not be easy to get a new retinue of servants.” “ T have looked out for that,’”’ was the reply. “I have brought over a couple that may be depended upon to the last—Peters and his wife—and, be- sides, I can spare my two stewards—excellent men both. I can get aiong with the cook and a sailor for cabin boy.” ‘ You intend, then, to stay aboard the Albatross? ” ‘ Most certainly. My presence at the chateau could not be satisfactorily explained. If it got noised abroad, it might create a scandal.” * I see,’ said Cottrell with a smile, “ I am only a nonentity of a secretary, while you are un gentilhomme; a most conspicuous figure.” “ That’s about the size of it, as far as public opinion would go. Then, too, we ought to consider the question of defense. As long as there is a chance of the count’s resorting to some desperate measure, we should place a strong guard about the chateau every night. I can spare about eight men, and I think you might do well to place them in charge of that quiet little fellow Daron. “As for me, I shall cruise off shore during the day, and at dusk anchor as close in as I dare. I will have a boat always ready to launch at a moment's notice, so in case of trouble I can quickly land the remainder of my men— about a dozen. .Of course everything should be done to prevent the count or his father from getting wind of my arrival, and of the resources now at your disposal. Thinking that you have practically no forces at all, he may be careless in his plans, and that would be your salvation.” In all of Struthers’ suggestions Cottrell acquiesced. He acknowledged the superior judgment and wisdom of the Englishman, who was nothing short of a genius in conducting an adventure. Cottrell, like all Yankees, was shrewd and resourceful, too, but he had not the experience and knowledge in dealing with people like the count that Struthers had, owing to his fondness for detective work, which in England he had indulged in to a certain extent. . GONG OOO ceo