The Argosy, March 1907 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

644 “Tam not the surgeon, monsieur, else you would learn nothing to-day. It is sufficient answer for the present to say that you are in Paris!” A look of incredulity crossed In- wood’s face. Irritation and a feeling of resentment born of the unusual weak- ness against which he was struggling seized him. Why should this cold-eyed stranger see fit to mock at him? “ Monsieur,’ said he impatiently, “ I ask you again, where am [?” “And I have answered. In Paris, monsieur,” replied the other coldly. “When an hour ago I was but a few miles from Cannes? It is impossible.” ‘Tt is the day of impossibilities. Calm yourself, monsieur, or I shall be accused of throwing you into another fever. You have been in Paris for the matter of some sixty days.” Inwood had once more started to throw back the bed-clothes, but his hand fell inertly to his side. For sixty days! and it seemed but as many minutes since he had struggled up the bank toward mad- emoiselle. Surely he was the victim of a feverish hallucination, from which he must re- cover presently. The stern lines on the face of his com- panion relaxed a little. “ Monsieur,’ said he gravely, “ under some circumstances it might be unwise to prolong a conversation with one who has but awakened from so profound a stu- por, but that you have awakened—in your natural senses—is sufficient proof that the danger is past. The injury to the brain received by being thrown from your horse rendered you unconscious for many days. one of the most skilled surgeons in France has interested himself in your be- half. To him and to Mademoiselle de Freron you owe your recovery.” It was gradually dawning upon In- wood that the man was telling the truth, and that he had been seriously injured when hurled from the saddle upon the rocky shore of the river. But that he _had lain in a death-like stupor for nine weeks, in some manner had been con- veyed across France and was at that mo- ment lying’ in a house in Paris, seemed beyond belief. It was, perhaps, fortunate that_ THE ARGOSY. Then remembrance of mademoiselle, whom he had left awaiting him upon the bank of the river, forced a ques- tion to his lips. “And mademoiselle—she escaped?” ‘Else you had not been in Paris to- ‘ay. You are in the Hotel Prix, where she ordered you to be brought, mon- steur,’ x=plied the other. The Hét<1 Prix! the house of the slain count, whe had died with the knife- blade of Colonel Ettori in his heart. Again his mind went back to that fate- ful night, then: “And mademoiselle—she is here?” “She is here, monsicur.” The French- man’s voice was measured and cold. “And you, monsieur? Surely I am also indebted to you “ “I have told you it is through mad- emoiselle. What I may have done was at her desire.” There was no tone of friendliness in the man’s voice. Inwood was rapidly collecting his fac- ulties, for, confronted with so difficult a problem, he summoned all his strength to solve the perplexity. . For several minutes he remained si- lent, arranging in his mind the incidents which had crowded upon him since he had set foot in France. From-the hour when, issuing from the cold water of the river, he had waved his hand to mademoiselle to the moment at which the little man in black had put the glass to his lips—all this period was a blank which ‘had robbed him of sixty days. of volition. Would he learn what had happened during those lost days? And mademoiselle? How had she es- caped, and by what means had she suc- ceeded in removing him to Paris? Why had the pursuers hot crossed the river, having followed them so far? It was plain mademoiselle had not de- serted him, yet to remain at his side and to have escaped being made a prisoner must have meant that the hostile horse- men had given up the chase when victory was within their grasp. And why had they abandoned the pursuit so suddenly? Surely not because a narrow river sepa- rated them from their prey. There were many questions he would have asked, but his companion turned abruptly from the bedside. A GEomichbooks:c¢o m