The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. 1 ‘This is not a coincidence,” he murmured; ‘‘and yet how can Hastings be alive? Bah! even if he is, he cannot — have any suspicion of who we are. I will make sure.” —_ . Inquiry of one of the directors brought out the address, but not the name of the artist. Alphonse hastened to the address and was shortly knock- Ing at the door of the studio where we have once before been. **Come in.” Alphonse entered. Lhe artist turned with a smile of inquiry. Alphonse gasped and turned pale. Clinton Hastings sat before him. Sat there almost as he had once before sat in the studio in the lowly house in Morlaix, before the masked man. _ Alphonse recovered himself in a moment. It was quite evident that Clinton Hastings did not suspect 1m. ‘I have come to see you, sir, about your famous painting ‘in the Academy.” Clinton smiled. ‘‘ You are the tenth this morning. Iam much flattered that my painting is successful, but it is not for sale.” ‘““Ah! Iam sorry for that. I had set my heart on hay- ing it. I believe in encouraging American artists.” “Oh, I'll take the encouragement without the money.” _ Alphonse recognized the mockery which once_ before ‘had driven him nearly to despair. He only smiled, how- ever. ‘“‘It is an odd subject for a painting.” ‘‘T am sure it must be. The other nine gentlemen who called this morning to encourage me said the same thing.” _ Alphonse bit his lip. “‘T am afraid you do not like criticism.” | _ “Were you criticising? How stupid of mé not to recog- nize the fact.” _** Stupid or discourteous! I don’t know which,” retorted Alphonse, angrily. “Sir,” said Clinton, in the same mocking tone, “are your eyes in good working order?” - **I do not understand you.” . } ' “No? I thought the question simple enough. How- (E(0) “ # - Fi > AAS rn ¢ Is 4 sy f V ? on " ye ) EomiGbdooks