D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

King of Portugal. 149 said the musketeer. “Out of wrecks one obtains treas- ures. M. du Vallon not only brought me an extension of leave, but a message intimately concerning . “Concerning me! [ shall be glad to hear it?” “I do not say it directly concerns your grace; but it does directly concern this gentleman Pane te clapped his hand on Soleiman’s shoulder, which made the latter squirm as if arrested. “Gentleman ?” “This is Elizor Soleiman, the wealthiest Jew left in Portugal! the bravest of Hebrews in that he stays, the last of his race who are not converts! the most generous of Israelites in that he devotes his fortune and his finan- cial talent, a greater fortune to him who appreciates it, to the future of Portugal!” The whole assembly in the Petrel’s best room were in solemn attention. “Oh, these landsmen!” muttered the naval lieutenant, “never are they so happy as in cutting the stays before they have the mast stepped firmly! I shall get me out of this before I am involved neck deep! I smell halters and gibbets!”’ With that he cautiously withdrew. Soleiman looked as if he would have liked to do the same; but he fastened his eyes on the man who had praised him like a rabbit in a cage with a serpent. “This in spite of the Inquisition! Oh, it is only a difference of opinion between them!” said the Gascon, with his fine irony. “They both want his wealth for a propaganda! now they seek to spend it in smoothing the way of the benighted to the Throne Celestial; he in smoothing the approaches to the Throne Portuguese. I conjecture that never will he trouble himself about the Holy Brotherhood if it will confine its power to Spain. In the meantime, he is about to start the good work with a blow from a golden mallet! Elizor,” con- tinued he, suddenly showing him that paper which Por- thos had brought over from France and his companion warrant, “you will pay to ‘his highness the Duke of Braganza the sum of one and a half million pesetas of silver on these and my verbal order now given, and such other sums as are held by you in trust for France, GOMmIGDOOKS (©)