Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

A DASH FOR A ‘THRONE, 81 sharply, jerking his hcad as if bidding the other to unlock the door; and him- self turning as if to leave the room. My back was to the second man, and before | even suspected treachery he sprang upon me from behind, pinioned my arms and bound them, while the elder man held a revolver pointed right between my eyes. “I am sorry you have driven me to do this,” he said; “ for I am, perhaps, making you a deadly enemy, when I would rather serve you with my life if necessary. But my master’s orders are imperative. We are playing for high stakes there, and have to throw boldly at times. Your presence is necessary at the castle, and my instructions are to take you there, free or by force. Will you go without compelling me to use force? ” I looked calmly at his revolver. There was no fear he would fire. “We can scarcely cross the empire in a procession of this kind,” I said, meeting his stern look with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders. “We shall not try,” he answered promptly. “ We shall go as doctors, you as a mad patient who has escaped from an asylum. I have come pre- pared with the necessary papers; and I need not remind you that your own actions here have helped this plan.” “T tell you again, I'am not the man you seek,” I cried angrily; for I saw. the power of his threat. ‘“T take my chance of that. You can explain to the prince.” . “ This is monstrously ridiculous,” I exclaimed hotly. “ There are a thou- sand proofs here in this room that I am not the man you want. Put your hand in my pocket here, and you will see by my letters proof of what I tell you,” After a moment’s pause he did so; and then, too late, I remembered Von Fromberg had given me one of his uncle’s letters to read, which I had not returned. The man chanced to take it out first, and held it up. ‘ Your own proof,” he said laconically ; and thrust them all back again. “ You are making fools of every one concerned,” I cried very angrily. “ Will you give your word of honor ‘o go with us?” was his answer, sto- lidly spoken. “ It is time to start.” It was useless to fight further, so with another shrug of the shoulders I gave up. | : “I warn you the whole thing’s a farce, though I can’t make you believe it. I’ll go with you; but you must put up with the consequences.” In another moment I was free, and he was profuse with his apologies. As we opened the door to leave, some one came running up the stairs, looking hot and agitated. To my relief, it was Von Fromberg. “ How is it you’re back so soon?” I cried. ‘‘ Never mind how it is; you come in the nick of time, anyhow. This is Herr von Fromberg, gentlemen. These gentlemen are from your uncle and wish you to go with them.” “You said you would go freely with us, sir,” whispered. the elder man at my side. “ You gave your word of honor.” “ But this is the man you want,” I cried, pointing to Von Fromberg, who was staring like one panic stricken from me to the others. The elder man turned to him. 6 GOGO CO