Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 92: what you’re looking at

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

— A DASH FOR A THRONE. 85 ‘Oh, that’s plain enough,” he answered with a sneer. You've come after what youcan get. The prince probably sent you by these agents of his ” —with a contemptuous sweep of the hand toward them—*“ some wonderful account of the good things in store for you here, and very naturally you came to gather them. But the prince’s death has knocked the bottom out of that barrel; ” and he laughed very coarsely. “ There’s nothing here for you except an empty title and a beggarly old castle, mortgaged from the bottom of the old moat to the tip top of the flagstaff. That and a mess of very hazardous intrigue is all you can hope for here.” This speech, <oarse and contemptible as it was under such circumstances, was not to be compared with the ineffable brutality of the manner which marked its delivery. I was astounded that any man could so behave; but I saw his motive instinctively. He had heard little of me except as a meek spirited student, likely to shy at any personal danger, and his object was to frighten me away. ‘And who are you, then?” I asked. “These gentlemen have told me nothing of the position of matters here.” “Then the sooner you know something the better. Have the gocdness to leave us, Captain von Krugen.” The latter started, as I thought angrily, at the sharp, imperious tone in which he was addressed, and glanced at me in some hesitation. “Do you hear me, sir?”’ exclaimed Von Nauheim, still more sharply; and then, getting no sign from me, the two men left the room. “ That fellow gets more presuming every day. The prince made far too much of him; but I’ll soon have a change. So, you don’t know the position of things here, eh, .Mr. Student? Do you set much store on your life?’ And he eyed me very sharply, expecting to see me wince. I did not disappoint him. I started, and in a tone of some alarm asked: “Why? There is no danger of that sort here, is there? ” “Do you know how your late cousin, Gustav, lost him? ” “ What do you mean?” “ Ah, I thought the question would surprise you. I’m not going to tell you everything, because these matters are for men of action and not book- worms. He died in a duel, forced on him for the sole reason that he was the prince’s next heir.” ‘Oh, but that cannot be possible,” I cried, as if incredulous. “ Possible?” he echoed with a laugh. ‘‘ Can you fight? Can you stand before the finest swordsmen, or the picked shots in all Bavaria? ” ‘““T don’t see the necessity.” ‘Perhaps not—just yet,” he returned drily. ‘“‘ Poor Gustav didn’t—but the time came none the less. The man who puts on the mantle of the dead prince up stairs must look to find little in the pockets except challenges.” ‘“ But what of you? Who are you? Why do you tell me this? ” “ Because I dislike attending funerals,” he replied with a grim laugh. ‘‘ Besides, I am a soldier, and it’s my business to fight. You have probably heard my name already. I’m the Count von Nauheim, and the late prince’s daughter is my betrothed wife.” GOH GoOOO ~~~ ‘SS COLNT