Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

88 | THE ARGOSY. ‘‘T have no other wish in life, sir,’’ he replied earnestly. “Nor I,” assented the other. “Tf you were in his confidence, you will know that the late prince has left to his successor no means of maintaining a large retinue.” “What I am, and all that I have I owe to your late uncle,” said the captain, in the same earnest tone. “I ask nothing else than to place my sword and my fortune alike at your disposal. And I can speak for Steinitz here. Our liberty and lives are indeed at issue in the present crisis; and if all is not to fail ignominiously, we must have a strong hand and a clear head in command.” There was no mistaking the man’s sincerity, and usurper though I was, the offer touched me. “T believe you absolutely, Captain von Krugen, and you, Herr Steinitz; ” and I gave them my hand. “ But, all the same, I do not know what crisis you mean. Tell me freely.” . “T tried to tell you on the journey here, but you prevented me. Do you know the history of your family—the lineage on the side of the late prince’s wife? ”’ “T know very little. Speak as freely as if I knew nothing. You will not try my patience.” - “ Steinitz, see that there is no one about; and keep guard outside the door, that no one enters.” He paused while the younger man withdrew; and then, leading me to a deep window seat at the end of the room, began to speak in a low tone. ‘There is a traitor somewhere among us, and thus the greatest need for caution. For a long time previous to his death your uncle was engaged in a task that involved the highest issues of state. The extreme discontent at the antics of the madman who is now king of Altenwald induced a number of the more prominent and bolder men in the country to plot his overthrow. There is a slip in his ancestry, and the disappearance of a certain Prince Oscar, who was the heir to the throne, let in the younger branch of the family, through whom the title has descended to the present king. “Oscar was supposed to have died, but he was only eccentric. He lived in secret retirement, married and left a son. From that son, who was tun- questionably the rightful heir, the late wife of your uncle came in direct descent. She was the only child of the eldest line, and by right she should have reigned as queen. As you know, she died and left the two children, Gustav, who was killed in a duel, and the daughter, who is in the castle at this moment.” “Do you mean——-?” I began when he paused. “IT mean that the Countess Minna von Gramberg should at this moment be the queen of Altenwald; and that by God’s held we shall all live to see her crowned.” His dark face flushed, and his eyes glowed with the enthusiasm of this speech. My own feeling was more wonderment than enthusiasm, however. If this most hazardous and ambitious scheme were afoot, what could be the meaning of Von Nauheim’s share in it as the betrothed husband of a future queen? : : GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT