Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

A DASH FOR A THRONE. 263 is that if you’ll join us, we shall all be only too glad to have your help. I need scarcely tell yon that those who stand by us now will reap the harvest when we've succeeded. It’s deuced hard on you to have the whole of the prince’s fortune left away to Minna. Once this thing goes through, she won’t want it, of course ; and it'll be my business to see that the Gramberg estates go with the title. I give you my word on that.” The man was lying, of course; but it wouldn’t do to show that I knew it. “I don’t think the terms are high enough,” said I quietly, as if weighing them. “ The risk is enormous.” ‘It might be, if we were not certain of success.” ‘“ And we certainly are not.” ‘Why, what can stand in the way. The feeling against the king grows every day. What do you think is his last freak? Another confounded pal- ace; and this time underground. It will cost millions of marks—millions. - Do you suppose the people are going to put up forever with this sort of thing? It has only just leaked out mm Braunstadt, and I tell you, man, the whole coun- try will take fire and clamor for his deposition. There never was such a chance, and never will be such another.” : There was a ring of sincerity in this indignation quite foreign to his usual manner, and I could not understand it. “ And what is your plan?” I asked. , * To strike, and strike at once,” he cried loudly, dashing his fist down on the table. “ While Braunstadt is mad with anger.” It was plausible enough, but I knew the man for a scoundrel. “ And my cousin—what does she say? ”’ I asked | “ She can have no chojce,” he returned readily. ‘‘ She must leave these things to us. - She has a kind of reluctance, I know; and her heart has never really been in the work. But she is pledged to the finger tips and can’t draw back—at least without betraying the lot of us, as well as ruining herself. Sometimes I wish indeed that she had more spirit. Had I known she felt so strongly, I should never have gone in so deep myself.” ‘ Before I decide anything I must know her wishes,” I said. “ Her wishes will be ours—if we make her understand that the alternative will be the ruin of all who have taken up her cause, and probably the death of every man here. Of course you'll force this home upon her?” “It must first be forced home on me,” said I. “You know Von Krugen’s views,” he urged—he was showing too much earnestness now, and his whole demeanor was suggestive of a secret purpose. What it was I could not guess, of course; but no one could fail to read it in his manner. “ Yes, I know Von Krugen’s views; but I am accustomed to form my own opinions and to act on my own judgment.” If you will come with me to Braunstadt, I will give you plenty of facts to convince you.” He spoke with an assumption of lightness in his tone and accompanied the words with a shrug of the shoulders, as of indifference. But the man was as easy to read as a book in some respects. I saw instantly that he had approached one of the chief points at which he had been aiming. ecomilEclooolks (GO) i