The Argosy — page 90: what you’re looking at

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

Checkmate in Ten Moves. a7 There was another silent pause ; my throat and lips were parching, but I durst not mention the lemonade, lest Eleanor should go and fetch it. 1 watched the features of my opponent, and if I had ever doubted the engrossing power of chess calculation, tis rapt stillness would have convinced me. A slight sound on the stairs decided me to take the next step, and play the ¢#zrd move. 22. B. takes K. Kt. P. ‘Good !” said he; and played the counter move with a smile. R. P. takes B. ‘You think that will stop it?” I asked. ‘Tet us see.” The room might have rocked with an earthquake—I doubt if the chief magistrate would have noticed, unless it had shaken the pieces. But in the mirror opposite I saw what was hidden from his entranced eyes; a figure lifting his cloak and other equipments from the chair in the hall, I played my /fouv?h rather in a hurry. 23. Kt. takes P, Kt. to his B.’s sq. ‘Can you suggest a better move, M. le Maire ?” He only shook his head ; he was becoming too impatient for criti- cism—he really wanted now to see the end. I moved with more deliberation in consequence, keeping his eyes rivetted on my hand. Two figures passed before the mirror; one might have been the Maire himself; the other was Mére Dénise. I played my //¢A move, as Mariette reappeared, and leaned on the back of my chair. 24. Q. checks, from Black’s R’s sq. K. before his R, ‘© A forced move, M. le Maire will admit. Well, chére amie, and my lemonade ?” ‘Do you mean to say that Toinette did not bring it in, after all my pains in making it? You shall have it directly.” And out she flew, leaving the door behind her ajar; of course, by accident. I admired her presence of mind, but I felt as if I should break down, unless I could moisten my throat. M. le Maire made a gloomy sign for me to continue; he was getting a little sulky with failure. I played the szxth move. 25. Q. retires one sq. and checks. K. had but one move. And then, as I heard a dog bark, hurried on to the seventh, 26. Kt. 2 sq. before Black K. “Now, M. le Maire, you must consider what there is to suggest. Your chances have dwindled low.” This seemed to nettle him, and he remained thoughtful for so long that Mariette had time to return with my lemonade. Never was any draught more delicious! I durst not meet her eyes, but it gave me COMMICOOOKS.c©