Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

74 THE ARGOG6Y. ‘ Only one reparation you can make. Your death can appear to be either accidental or natural—anyhow, provided that it occurs at once. You can have a week—aiter that, if you are alive, you will die an infamous death.” “IT understand,” I replied, rising as he rose. “ Will you give my assur- ance to the prince and the emperor that ” ‘I am no tale bearer, sir,” he answered sternly. “ The one desire now is to forget that you ever lived; ” and flinging these harsh words at me, he leit me humiliated, ashamed, angry, and impotently remorseful. Not another word should pass my lips. How should I die? It was not so easy as it seemed. A fatal accident to appear genuine called for clever stage management, and I did not see how to arrange matters. I applied for leave and went to Berlin. There was one man there who could help me—old Dr. Mein. He was a bachelor recluse, an Englishman, who had been naturalized, and in the old days he had been in love with my mother. It was she who told me the tale just before her death, when urging me to trust him should I ever find myself in need of an absolutely reliable, level headed friend. I knew that he loved me for the English blood in my veins. I told him what I had to do, but at first did not mention the cause. He listened intently, questioned me shrewdly and then stopped to think. ‘“ You want me to murder you, or, at least, give you the means of murder- ing yourself,” he said bluntly. “ Tf you don’t help me, I shall do it without you, that’s all,” I returned. He paused again to think, pursing up his lips and fixing his keen blue eyes upon me. “ T have loved you like my own son, and you ask me to kill you.” ‘“* My mother would have had me come to you, because I am in trouble.” ‘You have no right to be in trouble. You are no fool. You Lave all your father’s wealth—millions of marks; you have your mother's English blood—what is much better, you have her brains—which is best of all; you have a noble profession—the sea; you enjoy the imperial favor and friend- ship—a slippery honor, maybe; and you are certain of rapid promotion to almost any height you please. Why, then, should you want to die? ” “ Because I have sacrificed everything by my reckless temper,” I answered, and told him what had happened. “JI have no option but to die,” I con- cluded. “If you will not help me——” I broke the sentence and got up to go. ‘“T didn’t say I wouldn’t help you—TI will.” I sat down again. “ You don’t care how you die, so long as it’s quickly?” I shook my head. “ Very well. I have in my laboratory the bacilli of a deadly fever. I will inject the virus into your veins. In three days you will be in the fever’s grip, and in less than a week you will be dead.” I took off my coat and bared my arm to show my readiness. “T make only one condition. You must be ill here; I must watch the progress of the experiment.” ‘“ Nothing will suit me better,” I returned. ECOMmicooolkKks CO