Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

THE QUEEN’S BODY GUARD. 249 “ There are other things that are more difficult to make a man part with, Juan; his sweetheart, for instance.” What was it that gave Cottrell a vague feeling of alarm—that bade him be on his guard against some new danger? Had this reference to sweethearts anything to do with him? It was a relief to the American when they reached the open air,-where the sun was shining, and all nature seemed aglow with life and vitality. CHAPTER XX.—CorTrrTRELL Finps Hope AND LosEs I’. CoTTrrRELL had caught no sight of little Daron, nor had he seen anything of Marie except for that one glimpse of her in the court. He had been at the castle two days, but so far, fortune had not favored him. He dared not exhibit any desire to meet the countess, nor did he risk ques- tioning any of the men who spent the time in idleness, lolling about and smok- ing to their hearts’ content. But on the morning of the third day there were signs of bustle and prepa- ration, and he gathered from the men that night would find them on the march again. Whither or for what purpose he could not ascertain. | Then Cavara sent for him, and told him that as “ business ” called him away for a short time, he had determined to place him—Cottrell—in charge of the countess with ten of his trusty fellows as a body guard, “to see that no one forces an entrance while I am gone,” he explained; “ and,” he added grimly, “ that no oneleaves! ” It was all that Cottrell could do to conceal his great joy at the turn affairs had taken, and it was with a light heart that he watched the cavalcade file out of the castle and over the massive drawbridge to disappear in the woods. - ‘“ The time for action has come,” he said to himself. But for some minutes he did not move, but stood motionless, leaning against a huge buttress, his thoughts busy with the past, the present and the future. ‘“ Just one year ago, Henry Cottrell,” he reflected, apostrophizing himself, “ you left New York on a cattle steamer, bound for London, with the expecta- tion that you would settle down when you reached your journey’s end as a clerk on a small pay, with an occasional half holiday, and a very occasional orchestra stall at the Alhambra, as the spice of life. So had hardships blunted your ambition. “ But fate, Henry Cottrell, had ordained it that no such quiet, prosaic ex- istence should be yours. And now, after going through enough adventures to turn your hair gray, you find yourself a full fledged brigand, with the cer- tainty of being garrotted if caught by the authorities; a jailer in charge of a kidnapped countess, who is also the girl you love; and lastly, a sort of amateur detective, striving to rescue this girl, whom you have the honor to serve as jailer. A most ambiguous position certainly.” It puzzled Cottrell sorely that Cavara should have placed him in such a responsible position; but as long as chance had favored him, he made up his mind to take advantage of the circumstance, and without delay. He thought UN GONG OOO ceo