Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 271: what you’re looking at

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

264 THE ARGOSY. “ Of course, I will go with you to Braunstadt,” I answered readily; and a momentary flash of pleasure in his eyes gave me the clue I needed. It was at Braunstadt that Minna’s brother had been inveigled into the duel and killed—and this man had come back from there with some such plan against myself. My death would leave the girl absolutely without a friend in the world. The game was indeed becoming engrossing in its interest; and at that moment I began to see the course I would take to cut the coils which threat- ened her. “ Before I go,” I added, after a pause that was scarcely perceptible, for all the revelation that had come to me in it, “ I will see my cousin, and hear from her lips what she wishes.” “We will see Ler at once,” he answered instantly. “With your permission I will see her alone.” “That is rather a strange request, prince,” he returned, “ considering she is my promised wife. What reason have you for making it?” “TI wish her to speak freely to me, unfettered by either your or Von Kru- gen’s insistent persuasions. She will speak more freely alone; and as head of the house I choose my own steps.” ““T see no reason for it,” he replied sharply. “ Do you suggest I intimi- date her?” “I suggest nothing,” I returned quietly. “I get my information in my own way, that is all. If you object to. my doing that, I decline to get it in yours. My visit to Braunstadt can stand over meanwhile.” “ But things can’t wait. This business must be done at once.” “ Then the short cut to it must be as I prefer to direct.” The mask nearly fell from him. He bit his lips, and I saw the anger rush to his eyes and face; but he checked it, and though he had to fight hard to keep from breaking out, he answered sufficiently calmly. “ Oh, if you set so much store by it as all that, certainly see her alone. You will find out no more than I have said.” But I had a different opinion; and I sent up a message at once to the Countess Minna, to ask her for an interview immediately. “ And when shall we start for Braunstadt?”’ I asked, when the messenger had gone. “ Tomorrow?” “ The sooner the better,” he replied; and again I caught a fleeting, stealthy glint of pleasure in his eyes. CHAPTER VI—My “ Cousin.” My short conversation with Von Nauheim, the sudden change in his atti- tude toward me, and the slight indications of his real feelings which I had ob- served, did more than anything which had yet occurred to impress me with the deadly seriousness of the task I had undertaken. I was convinced that as the result of this visit to Braunstadt some fresh development of treachery had been planned, and that he was closely con- cerned as either principal or tool. GOH GoOOO (GO) i