The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 143: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. | 139 CHAPTER XLI. ALPHONSE IS SHOCKED. ‘¢ Now.” said Clinton, when they were in his studio, “if mademoiselle will say how she will pose, we may begin at once. But first let me mix my paints. Excuse me for a few moments. ” Clinton went behind a screen, and Elise employed her time looking at some very hideous daubs scattered about the room. Suddenly she was'startled by a voice: ‘Hold! What does the Be etty tiger-cat here?” ‘“¢ Bras-de-F er?” ‘« At your service, my pretty Elise. Ciel/ but would not that poor Robert be crazy if he could come home and find you here?” ‘‘ But you, Bras-de-Fer, how came you here?” ‘‘ How came | here? Why, that is good! Is not this my room?” ‘‘ And the artist?” ‘¢What artist?” ‘He who came to my room.” ‘‘How should I know the artist who came to your room ?”’ ‘< But he whom I followed here?” Elise pulled aside the screen, and seeing no one san stared at Bras-de-Fer. ‘“‘Well,” said he, ‘‘ what do you find so strange there?” ‘ Bras-de- Fer,” she said, going up to him and speaking earnestly, “tell me what this means?” Bras-de-Fer laughed pleasantly. He had gone far enough with the mystification. ‘‘It means that I and the artist are the same.’ ‘‘'The same?” ‘s Yes; if mademoiselle pleases, | am an artist some- times.” Bras-de-Fer had taken the manner of the artist. Elise clapped her hands. “<T shall believe Robert now. You are the devil!” (E(0) Gomicbooks