D'Artagnan, the King Maker — page 295: what you’re looking at

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

278 The Marplot. and, as D’Artagnan coming out of his hiding-place made no answer, ‘he walked in. It was one Don Pablo de Riqueza. He was nicknamed “the Count by Surprise.’ He was a penniless cadet when the loss of all that debarred him from a title and estate perished by a holocaust. An upset log on a mon- strous saint’s-day fire, enflamed a house where a family reunion took place and all his kin disappeared in the flames. He became count in a trice. | But never had the Count by Surprise experienced the emotion seizing ‘him when, instead of the Duchess of Braganza, he saw a man alone in the chamber. “A man whom I do not know!” he muttered, drawing back hesitatingly. “Not the Count of Marianda, I think! one of his household? In that case, a royalist like him. A swordsman, surely! a foreigner, on a second look! We are overburdened with these captains of adventure —they scent the battle! Where has the duchess gone? These old houses are perforated with hidden ways! I had mine rebuilt! and I will recommend the count to do the same. ‘This is some hireling! seeking hand money to enlist! He gets no pay under the Spaniard—he will take from ours, or any purse!” D’Artagnan was whistling a camp song between his teeth. “Hem, captain!” at a venture. They bowed stiffly, yet the Frenchman seemed easy, here at home. “Tt is a Marianda, I guess—a foster-brother or side- scion. I know no end of cousins claimed me as their own when I took my place as the head of the hotise! Fortu- | nately, I have the password to touch the stone! ‘Bragan- za, Madrid and Lisbon!” Then, raising his voice out of his monologue, he inquired: der?” “To be truthful, we live under no star at this hour, it is a planet, the Moon!” replied the other as simply as Porthos might have done. “This is one outside our Cause,” thought the Portu- euese. “Could I learn of your lordship what star we live un- “Politeness for politeness, is there anything more to Eomicbooks, co im