davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

/ bottle won't have any effect on you
Don't insult me by supposin' half a
bottle Of Scotch whisky could have any
effect on me. It's five minutes between
drinks While I'm finishing the bottle
yoIn have time to prepare yer dlrthy
sowi. If you've got wan. for the next
world"
Quite So" Bland regarded The De-
stroyer" as II that unsavory individual
were his dearest friend. THE only thing
that troubles me is thay you've such a
beastly headache that you may have to
shoot twice Isn't there anything I
can get to steady your hand7"
If you move from that chair IN
shoot ye now said The Destroyer,
pulling out a rather cumbersome re-
volver.
''Oh. 1 haven't the slightest intention
Of moving. What's the good when you
could shoot me at once and I should
lose the ten minutes
''F'ivei" said The Destroyer" paren-
theticalIy. BE aisy. my jewill Ffvei"
We'll, five. then-when I should lose
the five minutes grace you are going
TO give me. By the way, 1 suffer
good deal from headache myself Ever
try phenacetin?''
''Phenace-what? asked The De-
stroyer"
''Phenaeetin. I've a bottle Of the
tabloids from the chemist round the
corner. 1t will steady your hand at
once. l don't want you TO make
mess of this business.
Faith. an that's thoughtful OF ye,'
admitted The Destroyer Me heads
kiclin' up a dlvvle of a racket Just
put that little bottle on the table and
III help mesilf."
Bland took the little bottle out of his
pocket and placed 1t on the table The
Destroyer scrutinized it carefully.
1t bore the name of the nearest
chemist and volunteered the informa-
ton that each tabloid contained ten
grains.
An how do you take the stur?''
asked THE Destroyer suspiciously
Its not desavin' me We are?''
"Oh. If you think 1t worth while, take
one OF the tabloids" said Bland care
Iessly-'I should think one would do
for yOu-and put it into your mouth.
Don't swallow It. but just bite through
the middle. You'll find the covering a
bit tough
The Destroyer lowered his revolver,
pulled out the cork of the little bottle.
took one of the tabloids and scrunched
1t vigorously between his big yellow
teeth.
There came a sudden. tearing rending
noise-a crash-a pun. and the upper
part OF The Destroyer's' head was
shattered TO pieces
Bland looked at The Destroyer's''
remains with acute interest. II
thought that concentrated picric acid
would do the trick. ne murmured con-
tentedIy as he again took up his book.
Presently I'll wire 10 Scotland Yard
md tell them TO collect the remains"
And that was the last OF The De-
stroyer."
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
TERRIBLE FATE OF THE DESTROYER Blu c. B. BURCN .

~ LAND. the journalist, had made
X himself particularly obnoxious &c
L. The Brotherhood whereupon
'"IAe BROTHERHOOD resolved TO
give Bland short shrift in the customary
manner. The head and front OF BANDS
offending @as that. under the guise Of
an irquiring brother. he had obtained
a knowledge OF the inner secrets OF this
revolutionary society in order TO use it
for journalistic purposes. and had actu-
ally sent copies Of his articles to Scot
land Yard. thus drawing the attention
OF that establishment 10 The Brother
hood"
Bland. although he had received sew
eral missives decorated with skulls and
crossbones. went on his way without
fearing The Brotherhood The
Brotherhood" did not cause him TO al
ter HIS habits IN the slightest degree.
with the exception that he purchased
a deadly little revolver and pursued with
great vigor his studies Of the explosive
properties Of plcric acid when imprison
cd IN certain iRnocent-loeklng capsules
OF his own invention. When his capsules
triumphantiy stood the most searching
tests he wrote an infammatory article
on THE Brotherhood" italIcizing GER
tain passages which would give Scotland
Yard a clue to the whereabouts Of this
refarious society. Scotland Yard looked
upon Bland as Of no Importance but
occasionally humOred him 80 far as 20
keep & watchfuI eye on THE Brother
hOod"-an eye which The Brotherhood
found extremely hlconvenient.
At last. however. a stroke OF luck be
fell The Brotherhood" II obtained a
hold over ore Latchford Smith. an i'm
pecunious journalist. II occurred &c
The Brotherhood" that. with Latch
ford Smiths aid. Bland could be cap
tured. So occupied were the leading
members Of the society in the pursuit Of
Bland that they quite forgot 10 blow
Up anything for some months, and
Scotland Yard srew highly contemptu-
Gus with regard to their proceedings.
Latchford Smith had fallen into the
power Of THE brotherhood" through
his own reckless extravaganza and per-
petual impecuniosity. One Of the band.
IN the guise Of a money lender. supplied
him with large sums. and when these
were exhausted the Brotherhood offered
70 return Latchrord Smiths I. o. US.
provided he discovered BANDS address
The secretary OF The BROTHERHOOD
put IT TO Smith that the interview with
Bland would be on a purely pacific and
friendly basis. They desired to estab-
The Washington times., 1903-11-01
How do you know THAR

How do you know that2'
'Oh, I've many ways of finding ont
things" said Bland. still more careless
ly than before. You take my tip and
try to get on one Of the New York jour
nails. They're always anxious 20 nave
Engiishmen. because they know whats
going on"
Smith put the notes in his pocketbook
after shaking hands with nearer ap-
proach TO feeling that he lad yet dis
played
You're a good sort. Bland. anG you
must not think hardly of me-"
"Oh. I don't think hardly OF anyone.
We're all the creatures OF circum-
stances. Perhaps you'll get along better
in New York"
4 hope so" Smith paused on the
threshold.
Bland looked at him again. Better
chuck The Brotherhood
Chuck what?" Smith turned white
That BROTHERHOOD business. It can't
pay in any shape or form. Once they get
hold Of you they'll never let co.
They have got hold of me-"
Yes. l thought as much: that's why l
let you have the money Now. get off to
Liverpool as fast as you can before they
are on your track OF they'll make it hot
for you"
You don't know how hot they have
already made it,"
mo. but I can imagine Now be off"
Smith. feeling that Bland had been his
guardian angel, shook hands once more
and went slowly down the stairs As he
turned the corner of the street he ran
straight into the arms of a member Of
The Brotherhood" who had been de-
tailed to watch him.
so you've found Bland for us at last,
the scoundrel?" said THE Destroyer"
"Oh. no. l haven't" said Smith. ly-
ing shamelessly. That was a lawyer $
office. 1 wanted some legal advice"
Faith, you won't find that help you
much" said THE Destroyer"
Il tell you there's nothing in it at ali. Z"
Then you may save yer breath to
cool yer porridge," said The Destroyer
for saw Bland go up the steps.
watched you because l knew you were
IoohIh iOi NM lake care me son.
what you're dom"
"Oh, I'll take care" said Smith, mis-
erabiy enough. He parted from THE
Destroyer" in the Gray's Inn road and,
after carefully watching that worthy
out OF sight. went into a secondhand
clothes shop. bought a few things, hur-
riedly crammed them into a bag and
rushed up TO Euston. There he took a
train for Liverpool and caught the New
York boat that afternoon
The Destroyer" went back to The
Brotherhood and reported progress.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

! ments, who In his youth, while sowing
his wild oats, had done so in oper
ground, and was, therefore, II anything
the more appreciated. On his last visit
TO England before the wedding all de
lighted to honor him; nor was oxford
behind the rest The prince. as the
guest Of the dean OF st. Mary's. was to
be present at a banquet in the college
hall. to which every member of the
college was invited.
The coming festivity was the subject
of conversation a few evenings pre-
viously in the junior common room.
Elmwood alone was somber at the
thought of it. Every recollection of
Friesmark was painful to him. and he
had avoided them very carefully.
"A good-loolSing man. isn't he?" said
a man who was glancing through an
illustrated paper to Elmwood.
I've never seen him." was the an
swer
well. here's his portrait; it's all over
the place now. Hullo. are you of.
Elmwood?"
YES" answered Harold; Il must
work tonight"
The subject was well-nigh unbearable
to him. for he was slowly beginning to
realize that the hour of reckoning for
which he longed seemed very far away.
But It was not. On the night OF the
banquet the old hall. with It's wide
stairway. dark paneled walls. lines of
pictures of famous members. and high
carved ceiling. was brilliant The throrg
of men IN evening ana academical
dress. the robes of the higher mem
bers. the tables cleaning with plate
and lights. forbade save TO one man
any sinister recollection OF him who
should, but for foul blow. have been
present. All arose to their feet as the
prince headed a brilliant procession OF
dignitaries through the hall to the high
table, near which. by virtue OF his
seniority. Elmwood stood at his place.
Tho eyes of the prince and the under
liant scene grew dim, and the prince
seemed to stop for an instant and to
move forward with an effort. A revela-
ton had been given TO both. Elmwood
knew that his hitherto unknown enemy.
the murderer OF his friend. was the
heir TO a throne. and the accepted
sutton of an English princess. The
prince, to whom Eimwood's face was
bitter recollection. secretly gained on
that day at Nordsjohavn. knew that at
last he had met the sharer OF his secret.
Elmwood returned to his rooms after
the banquet, and sat late. Oenumbed by
a helpless feeling Of impotence. A royal
nurderer-how could be. an undergradu-
ate. OF no position. touch him? Must he
give up the belief that there was JUS
tee on earth? 1t was midnight when a
knock sounded at his door. YEARLY
Swimming company. Elmwood mechani-
cslly answered. The hour had come.
teowardly fear of otherwise impOs-
gtole issue had brought to visit him
Zsjalmsr of Friesmark.
At great moments, when the past is
20 be reckoned. mems minds often take
a trivial turn TO the present. Elmwood's
only surprise. for the moment. was that
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

looking up now. and leaning suddenly
forward.
The prince sank on his knees.
Mercy" ne cried aloud; Il have had
friends and a God. Mercy
Elmwood looked at him silently. and
the prince trembled heavily. and seemed
to fight for breath. It came at last IN
great gasp.
II will not marry herr
For the first time his tone rang sin
eere, and the faintest sign OF satisfao-
ton showed in Elmwood's face.
You VIII break her heart. Of course"
continued Elmwood. stfn quietly. and
your name will be DETAINED. You de-
serve that, and some day she may learn
what she escaped"
Have / not borne enOugh?' moaned
HJalmar. Il have promised" Then he
muttered with kind of prayer in his
voice. words in his own tongue which
meant. Surely the bitterness OF death
is past?'
At last Elmwood's restraint was over
taxed.
Great heavensr' he cried. and leeped
from his chair. do you dare to speak
from the book Out OF the room. be-
fore 1 drive you out. and keep your
promise II yourself will let you Got
go. I sayl"
Hjalmar. crown prince Of Friesnark,
arose. staggering. and left the room
with one cropping hand outstretched and
stumbled slightly as he went
Five years had passed. and Harold
Elmwood had risen 10 the position OF
fellow and tutor in his college. One
dark afternoon in November he sat IN
his old rooms with Randall Merriman.
who was home from India on leave.
Their converse was Of mutual friends.
by the way" said Merriman. you
never told me how poor Maxwell-Rich-
ards died.
Elmwood's answer seemed far astray
or did he wish to avoid the subject
Did you read OF the death OF the
crown prince Of Friesmark the other
day2-' he asked
On. yes, answered Merrlman.
Wasn't he the chap who threw over
the Princess Hnda? What a scandal
that wasi Worth being in Europe at
the time And now he's rumored to
have died a raving lunatic I don't
suppose that's true
II do" was the reply.
Why
A clock struck. and Elmwood jumped
W.
I'VE shall have to race for chapel" he
said. and snatched up his gown.
All through the service Merriman was
thinking. Surely there must have been
something behind Elmwood's strange
counter-question; and as the choir
chanted the words "AlI thy Judgments
are true he saw look OF infinite sad
ness. but withal of peace, on Elmwood's
face.
After chapel he repeated the question
gently. Tell me how Maxwell Richards
died" he said iHs
ElmwOod told him all
L believe that rumor now" said Mer-
riman at the end--London Vanity Fair.
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

not fail to be included. On the first
evening of their visit they strolled into
the Casino as spectators. Maxwell
Richards was In moralizIng mood.
Interesting place." ne observed; lit
sort OF epitomizes the world. Grave
and gay: success and failure Look at
that chap going out; hope he hasn't a
revolver in his rooms, or he'll be using
it, See the handsome girl there drop
ping her thousands? She doesn't care
no revolvers for her. And we. my Elm
wood-we stand and look on. yet our
fate is marked for us" His voice
Knocked tragedy. but Elmwood remem-
bered the words in little while. "HuIlo.
here comes the girl Friend OF yours.
Harold?"
Before an answer was possible she was
before them-dark-hai and exquisite
ly clothed, with the flush of specrls ton
on usually pale cheeks. ard the flash Of
gold in usually dreamy eyes. Ali the
1t was in her face. her dress. her Eng
lish accent.
Gentlemen" she said. you are wise;
you do not play. I am foolish; play;
I lose. The English have the golden
touch--is It not? Would you. sir"-she
turned to Cecil. who met her with a
slight courtly bow-''be kind TO me. and
put my little money on the red?"
With a light laugh at the request
Cecil followed her On Elmwood's fore
head was a slight frown. but his eyes
softened as they watched Cecil's hand
some figure bending over the table
Careful. dear old man. he muttered.
Golden touch or no. Cecil wrought the
change. and the girl was radiantly
grateful you Will come and help me
again." she kept saying. as they parted.
Cecil. TO Elmwood's relief. did not seem
more than amused by the incident, and
to his friends rather brasque question.
What's her Manner only answered that
he hadn't the least idea
Elmwood. merely out OF curiosity.
made It his business to find out. while
Maxwell Richards. still only for amuse-
ment and with an idea that gallantiy
compelled him so long as he brought the
lady luck. paid further visits to the Ca
sino. She was styled the Comtesse Eu-
genie de ST. Honore. and Elmwood.
while learning this. learned other things.
He believed that the lady was begin
ming to think Of his friend as something
more than & Fortunatus-('And don't
blame her." thought the faithful Elm
Woodland furthermore, on the occa-
sion OF their last visit 10 the Casino,
he observed a man who came IN for
moment. looked at the pair at the table
with an evil countenance, and left has
lilly. Elmwood comforted himself with
the reflection that he and Cecil were
leaving Monte Carlo on the morrow-(a
course to which Fortunatus had offered
no objections)-and said nothing about
his discoveries But he had read both
the Comtesse and Cecil Alright.
she wants me to go and see her az
her hotel this evening Cecil an
nounced I couldn't very well refuse,
but I'll cut It as short as possible"
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

When he returned this wss his story
''She tried to give me a snuff box which
her several-times-great-g had
from Louis the somethingth. 1 got out
OF it somehow 1t must be a tremen-
dously valuable thing. 1 got photo OF
thought
Did you?" said Elmwood. and pres
emily: do you want to leave here to-
morrow
Cecil understood. Bless you. yes" he
answered.; shes only an incident of
travel BY the way. as I came out met
chap who looked unusually dissatisfied
with things. on his luck. and wanted
some OF hers 1 suppose"
In the week left them the two deter
mined. as a complete change. to work
slowly homeward by way of those old
Hanse towns which fringe the Northern
Sea, the twilight OF whose life has been
so disproportionately prolonged. One OF
these. NordsJohavn, on the coast OF
Friesmark. has attaianed some slight
notoriety as a watering place. The chief
attribute of this is a promenade along
the sea-wall. bedecked with trees, and
provided with unstable seats in every
sheltered corner After reveling in the
old town, on a clear, brisk January
morning. Cecil and Harold strolled out
what he had seen. and letting his mind
drift back over history. and Elmwood
congratulating himself that they had.
as he supposed. left a storm behind at
Monte Carlo, and found the succeed
ing calm at Nordsjohavn.
Toward the end OF the promenade, and
at some distance from the town, stood
a benighted camera obscura. Its at
tendant spirit seemed to be the only in
habitant Of the promenade. and he was
slumbering peacefully IN a warm mo-
ment OF sunshine.
Enterprise like this. remarked Elm
wood. deserves TO be encouraged. Let's
have our twopennyworth. and buck the
old fellow up"
II hate the things" said Cecil.
w nat the use or seeing photograph
for two-Dence when you can see the
original for nothing? However, trot
along. my boy, and I'll pose for you out
side"
Harold reused the attendant, who
beamed upon him. and conducted him
into the dark ntGe hut. After all, there
was not much TO see. Only a stretch Of
the parade was visible on the mirror,
the bare bushes bending to the wind,
and Observation-Disclosures taking up a ser
les OF ridiculous attitudes on a seat. at
which the attendant beamed still more
Suddenly Cecil zell into a natural pos
ture. and IN an instant there passed in
TO Elmwood's vision on the table a man,
heavily coated. with a felt hat drawn
low over the brows. His face was half
hidden, and his head was turned slight
ly away from the camera obscura What
happened next happened with an in
credible swiftness. To Elmwood's in
tense surprise he saw the man stop his
rapid walk abruptly In front OF Cecil:
he saw Cecil turn with that well-knoWn
courtly gesture to listen to his words; he
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

saw the man address him with an cage
forward stoop. and Cecil turned again
this time away. IN scorn. The mar
raised his right arm swiftly, and as
swiftly brought # down, and Ce-
ell sank gently on his side along
the seat, and blood fell The murderer
turned from his work. and for the mer-
est instant his face showed on the table.
Then the attendant murmured "Godr'
and leaned his arm across the picture,
concealing it and pushing Elmwood
away; and Elmwood, recovering from
the momentary paralysis OF horror,
made for the door. 1t was dark, and he
funbled with the latch, and the attend
ant remained leaning immovable, and
Elmwood cursed him as he wrenched the
door open. In that few seconds delay
the murderer had disappeared. The plot
had been well laid. Elmwood ran and
knelt by his friend. speaking words for
no other ears. He spoke 10 the dead.
He realized this and steeled himself to
avenge. The attendant was coming to-
ward him. Elmwood remembered his
former action.
You know the murderer" he cried.
II saw nothing. said the old man
Go and fetch the police" command
ed Elmwood, and the British counsel -
Here. at least. the man was amenable,
and went running.
Left alone with his friends body.
Harold tried to calm himself and think.
He had seen the villains face for just
too short a time. Almost, almost he
could swear TO its being that of the
evil-faced man at the Casino. Why,
then. aid that fellow try to shield him I?
Harold shrank from the problem as the
police arrived
His Incidental duties Elmwood per-
formed with a kind Of mechanical con-
seriousness. The consul did what he
could. and the project Of police aid no
pains should be spared Had EImwood
been in condition to notice he might
have seen that every copy OF Z certain
photograph in the windoyy Of tie N5rd-
sjohavn photographer vas suddenly
withdrawn. The camera attendant haG
done his work. and the police were
sparing no pains-to shield.
Those who knew Elmwood noticed a
wondrous change IN him. His grIef was
Of the kind which makes little use *
words. though 1t was patent But there
was something else. and many fo,lrd it
good. for they said the blow had made
a man Of him. They were right hut
they did not know the reason-Eimwood
had not told all he saw. But in his way
he was a fatalist, and he was firmly
convinced that the day OF reckoning
was to come. aud he held himself in
constant readiness for it. This convtc-
ton was as strong in him at the end
of his fourth year at st. Mary's as It
had been in his second.
His last year was coincident WIZ She
period of the betrothal OF the yo,ine
Princess Hilda Of Glenalg with Ffial-
mar. crown prince or Tr1esmark The
alliance was politically and publicly
popular; the princess was well loveo,
and the prince was a man of unwont-
edly British tastes and accomplish
The Washington times., 1903-11-01

the prince could have escaped unseen
from the deanery and found his way to
these rooms. Then he saw that the
prince walked as one who dreamed. He
seemed to forget his rank, for he re-
manned standing. while EImwood. DELHI
erately playing the part OF judge. re-
manned seated. The prince did not look
at Elmwood as ne began to speak. and
Eimwood believed that he would have
spoken had the room been empty. His
voice was that Of child at lessons;
level. dispassfonate.
Il came to condole with you" he be-
gan. ION the death OF your friend"
For the moment establishment held
Elmwood dumb.
Il was present." Hjalmar continued,
lat his DEATH" As he spoke his eyes
became fixed as II they looked past
Harold az some one beyond him. When
he fell. a victim. as 1 understand, to
heart disease. I. seeing no one near,
went to seek assistance.
You lie,'' said Elmwood. quietly.
The prince was utterly unconscious OF
the words.
When returned" he went on, and
his speech, stin perfectly level, was
slower now, as II memory was failing.
the police and yourself were present.
and thought that Aay circumstances
forbade me to take unnecessary part In
the affair."
You iie." said Elmwood again. and
again the words were ignored.
Il have always wished to have an op-
portunity OF expressing my horror at
the base act OF which 1 was so nearly
a witness"
Elmwood supposed that this self-con-
tradiction must mean madness. Yet he
had no mercy
You lie." he reiterated. and this time
mora loudly.
The princes gaze met EImwoods
slowly, and fen. He seemed to awake
from a trance.
have He'd" he answered. sulienIv.
and saneiy- There was a pause
Then Elmwood spoke. His tone ano
aspect were those of man thinking
deeply and calmly; ne sat resting his
head on one hand. and his eyes looked
downward But only his greatest power
Of restraint held him So.
Chance has put you," he began 81
last. in very high position among
men. which you have done your worst
to defle- In a fit of merely brutal
jealousy, your reason for which was
base at the outset. you robbed me OF a
friend among friends Do you know
what that word friend means? Ever
since saw you strike that bIow~-the
prince started slightIy-'T have won
dered how could cause justice to be
done. But now that 1 know who Won
are. / cannot see"-his speech became
slower and more meditative-.T cannot
see any way OF dealing with you as
you deserve. II I could 1 would not
spare you punishment: not one whit
You propose to marry a princess OF my
own country. I wish that / could save
her" He sat awhile silent IF you do
marry her. God may spare you; but /
hope He Will not. Do you know what
that word God means?" he asked.