The Argosy for May — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

NOT FOR. SALE. “Von Altdorff? Why, certainly. He left here only a few moments ago with the charming Miss Bonner. ‘They got into a carriage which was waiting, and - drove away like the very dickens. I was just wondering what it all meant, and why—” ‘Drove off?” snapped Caxton. what direction?” Horowitz fixed his eye-glasses, and re- warded the interruption with a cold and haughty stare. “T have not the honor of your ac- quaintance, Yankee,’ he started to say insultingly; but, seeing a dangerous gleam come into the American’s. eyes, he skipped nimbly to the other side of Chegnay, and addressed his oo to him. “As I was tellifg you, my Ton Las- zlo,” he observed hastily, “ Von Altdorft and Miss Bonner drove away together in a carriage; and where do you think they went? ‘To the Arsenal, of all places in the world. And at this time of night, too. What do you suppose it can pos- sibly mean?” “To the Arsenal?”’ incredulously. “Yes, sir. I don’t wonder that you are surprised. But it is nevertheless the truth. I distinctly-heard him give the order to the Rkutscher. ‘To the Arsenal,’ he said, and—”’ But already the other two had ceased to pay any attention to him. ‘““Shall we take a carriage or motor- car?” the American was questioning sharply. ‘A motor, I guess, by all means?” “No,” swiftly decided Laszlo ; “horses. We do not know where the trail may lead, and a motor might get stalled. We can get good mounts at the stable just back of the hotel; indeed, my own horse, Solferino, is there.” The colloquy had taken scarcely half a second, and almost before the last word was out the two had turned and were making for the stable on a run, leaving poor Horowitz, his curiosity piqued and unsatisfied, to turn over a dozen new queries in his buzzing brain, and annoy almost every one who came by with his agitated demands for an explanation. Meanwhile, the horses were being led out and saddled, although all too slowly for Chegnay’s impatience; and, indeed, = “Tn 311 the last girth was hardly buckled before he had vaulted into his seat and given an ardent “ Vorwaerts!” to his willing steed. Then, rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat-tat, ame the clang of iron-shod hoofs upon the pavement, and the two were off along the wide avenues, and under the glare of the electric lamps, in a surging gallop. Caxton was something of a horseman himself, having spent a good part of his youth upon a Western ranch; but he was free to confess that he had never seen such an exhibition of riding as was given by his companion that night. Chegnay and the splendid animal he bestrode seemed to be one creature, the horse sensing as though by instinct the wishes of his master in regard to speed and direction, and requiring hardly a word or the slightest pressure upon the bridle-rein. Eyes straight ahead, his Geant handsome profile gleaming like marble in the white glow of the arc-lamps, pos- sessed of but one purpose, to overtake and win at any hazard, the lover rode like a veritable unleashed demon, whirl- ing heedltssly around corners, dashing in and out between trolley-cars, cabs, and automobiles at unchecked speed, risking life and limb a dozen times at the chance of a slip upon the asphalt or a stumble across the car-tracks. At almost every corner policemen held up excited batons, and a constant mutter of curses from drivers and chauffeurs followed in. their wake; but Chegnay never slackened pace nor drew rein at any of the interruptions. His one cry to Solferino was Vor- wacrts/—the one passion of his soul, Vorwaerts! Ever waerts! ” And the gallant chestnut responded well to his demand.- Head grandly up, eye flashing, all his muscles of whipcord and steel in magnificent play, Solferino swept onward like a meteor—twisting, turning, evading obstacles sometimes by scarcely more than a hairsbreadth, yet easily, gracefully, without a misstep, and never for one moment losing his splendid stride. Caxton followed as best he could upon his inferior mount. A dozen times his and always, Vor- heart was in his throat, when his com- MICLOOO S (C@