The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

_ a + ee rat bay. T ae Basle Unb fees ee Pe ey nS acm tanner aii" ’ oe tS .f *¥ ys "i > - ' | ; r & ik : a. - op? ee - 2 , THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. 127 ‘What does that matter so that I pay you well?” ‘* How much will you pay?” .“ How much do you want?” ‘‘T don’t want anything. Good-night, monsieur. “Oh, come! I will pay you five thousand “soa “Five thousand thunders! Say twenty thousand, and it’s done; say less, and you waste breath,” “Tt isa high price. “It is my price. Good-night.” ‘¢T will give it.” : “Good! And who is the man, and how shall I find him? Tell me everything.” ‘His name is Olinton Hastings. He lives at No. 27 Rue d’Artois.” ““Good!” : | “He is an artist. He is expecting me to send him some can x | ‘‘Doas I please with it. Good. Give me the money.” ‘‘ Yes, friend Bras-de-Fer, after the deed 1 is done. It will not be so easy, for he is a powerful man.’ ‘Very well, monsieur. Good-night.” «You will do it then?” **I will not do it.” *‘How? Not do it?” ‘“Not until you give me the money first,” ‘‘ But—well, never mind. I will give you half first, and the other half afterward,” “* All or nothing.” ‘‘ But you.may fail.” Bras-de-Fer laughed boisterously. ‘<T never fail.” “* But suppose ‘“Suppose I Should take your money and not do your work. Suppose it if you like. Ask Daddy Braune if I work that way. I did not seek you. You came to me. My terms are cash in advance. If you don’t like them go elsewhere.” Alphonse studied the brutal face and muscular propor- tions of Bras-de-Fer, and decided. ‘*T will bring you the money to-morrow night.” ** Yes, and I know how you will get it,” said Bras-de-Fer, ~ when he had closed the GOO on Alphonse, money this week. I will give you the money, and you Eomicbooks: co