Argosy, Vol. 1 (December 9, 1882) — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

A DASH FOR A THRONE. 89 “ The prince’s first intention was, of course, to put his son on the throne, and matters were indeed well ripe for this, when, unfortunately, he became imbroiled in a duel and was killed. That duel we believe to have been forced on him—murder in all but the actual form.” “ And the man who killed hime ”’ I asked. “A noted Italian swordsman, Praga, hired and paid, as we believe, for his work.” “Hired? By whom?” “By the family who stand next in succession to the throne. The king, as you know, has no children; and the succession passes to the Ostenburg branch of the family. That was my master’s main hope. Our claims are . stronger than theirs; and we had on this account secured the support of most | of the prominent men in the country.” “ Welt?” I asked, for he paused with a gesture of disappointment. - ‘Count Gustav’s death threw everything back. Where they had been ready to stand by a man, some of them drew back, frightened, from supporting a young girl—and unless a bold stroke be made now, everything may be lost.” ‘What bold stroke do you mean? ” ; “ Like that planned before. Everything was ready. We thought the Ostenburg agents had not a suspicion of our plans. We had resolved to take - advantage of the mad king’s fancies to lure him out on one of those wild mid- night drives of his, and then to seize his person and put one of ourselves in his place, made up, of course, to resemble him; and to let the dummy play the part of king long enough to enable us to get the madman where he ought to have been long since—into restraint. Then the dummy was to throw aside his disguise and declare that he had been acting by the king’s orders; that the latter had abdicated and had proclaimed the Count Gustav his successor, as being the rightful lineal heir. We should have done the rest. It was a brave scheme.” } ‘ It was as mad as the king himself,” said I. ‘“ But what then? ” It was just before things were ripe that the other side got wind—through some treachery somewhere; and the count was killed in the duel.” “Well?” “ Half the cowards drew away. But they will all come back the moment they see us strike a blow; and it was to have you close at hand, helping in the good work, that the prince sent for you.” “ And the Count von Nauheim? ” ‘The prince had supreme confidence in him. He was not with us at first; but his coming secured us the help of a very large and influential section of the people—enough to turn the balance indeed, and make the scheme certain of success. The prince welcomed him heartily enough and cheerfully complied with the conditions fixed by those for whom he acted—that the Countess Minna should be given to him in marriage.” This made me thoughtful, knowing as I did the man’s character. “ And the daughtér herself? ” My companion frowned, drawing his dark brows close together, aml pursed up his lips, as he replied ambiguously : GOH GoOOO ‘SS COLNT