The Argosy, April 1916 — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

162 “Tt is adieu, finally and irrevocably, you dog,” growled the ambassador, and followed by his faithful assistant he strode out into the hall, and in another minute was out of the house. As soon as they had gone Apponnetti turned to his man. “Slevin, you have that chloroform?”’ The other nodded and Apponnetti arose, taking off his coat. “T want you to go into that room and tie Miss Granger hand and foot. If she strug- gles, hit her, but be sure she is firmly bound. Understand.” - The big ruffian signified assent and turned his steps toward the smoking-room. Helen was seated in one of the chairs, her head upon her hands. As she heard the ap- proaching steps she looked up and saw Slevin. Getting to her feet she stood at bay, and watched him as he approached, taking from his pocket a stout twine which he laid upon the table. He came close to her and she screamed. The next instant she was locked in his great arms, her own pinioned to her side. Thus she was borne to the floor, where with one knee upon her chest he reached up for the twine. _ Securing this he had no difficulty in bind-. ing her hands. She screamed several times and he stopped her outcries by stuffing a handkerchief into her mouth. Then he carefully, fettered her ankles and picking her up as though she were a child, carried her to a great leather covered divan, where he propped her head on a pillow. This done he took a bottle from his pocket and pouring some of the contents upon a piece of cloth, laid it over her face. She shook her head from side to side, caus- ing it to fall off, whereupon he replaced it, gripping the sides of her face with his hands. She writhed and jerked, but within a short time the influences of the powerful an- esthetic asserted itself and her form grew limp, her head fell back. Slevin then with- drew the cloth from her face and ran into the library. Apponnetti stood waiting, a look of inquiry upon his face. “It’s all right, sir,’’ said the hired as- sassin. “Good!” Apponnetti stepped lightly into the hall, and walked down the passage- way, making sure that the servants were in the rear of the house. ‘‘All is well,” he said THE ARGOSY. presently, returning. “Now we will go up- stairs a moment. ‘The servants will soon be away on their holiday.” The two men made their way to the set- ond floor and looked into various rooms until they found a small one in the middle of the house, containing very little besides a bed. “This will do very well,” whispered the count. ‘Now carry that girl up here and place her on this bed. I want you to make certain,” he added, “‘that she does not die under the influence of this chloroform. After you have done that join me in the hall and we will make the necessary preparations.” Slevin went to the smoking-room and seizing the unconscious form bore it swiftly and easily to the room selected by Appon- netti. She was placed on the bed and the covers thrown over her. This done the afternoon was spent in keeping the girl half conscious. The staff of helpers had lost little time in leaving the house, as ordered by their mas- ter, and Apponnetti and Slevin were alone. The ambassador’s servants, by the way, were accustomed to many strange proceed- ings, and had long since learned the art of seeing yet not seeing, as Apponnetti well knew. “You are certain,” Slevin asked, ‘that you know where we stand in this stuff?” ‘“‘Assuredly,” was the reply. ‘It is not so risky by half as many things you have done. And I am personally aware of sev- eral of your exploits. Not that you have always received the price I am to pay you now. However— “You see,” he went on after a brief pause, “the fact that she is here at all would make thinks look dark against her in the eyes of the secret service people—and with her out of the way I shall face them and the de- tectives and laugh in their faces, despite all that that beast Griscom thinks he knows.”’ “But when the girl is found to have dis- appeared?”’ suggested Slevin. ‘Who can connect me with her? ' They may suspect, but suspicion is not proof. No, doubt not; I know what I am doing.” “Suppose some one saw me with her in the automobile?” “That is the risk you run for the money that is paid,” was the calm reply. “I doubt that you were seen. In fact, no automobile passed us going either way on the road.” “But there was a crowd all right when I made the arrest,” Slevin reminded him. comicloool C@