davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04
CHAPTER II.
VALCOUR

" HE Castfna was a Brazilian trad
ing ship frequently employed by
L the firm OF Harcliffe Brothers to
transport merchandise from New
Orleans to Rio de Janeiro. 1 had formed
q slight acquaintance with the master.
Pedro Lertine, and was not surprised
when he placed his own stateroom at
my disposal; for, although the vessel
usually carried passengers the cabin
accommodations " ere none Of the best
The captain asked no questions con-
corning my voyage. contenting himself
with the simple statement that he had
often carried my father with him in the
Castina in former years, and was now
pleased to welcome the son aboard He
exhibited rare Difference toward my
uncle, Nelson Harciiffe, as the head Of
our firm, when the old gentleman came
10 the head of the levee to bid me good
bye; this Uncle Nelson did by means
OF q gentle pressure Of my hand ! am
told the Harcliffes are always remark
able for their reserve, and certainly the
head Of our house vas an adept at re-
pressing his emotions. Neither he nor
my father, who had been his associate
in founding the successful mercantile
establishment, had ever cared to make
any intimate friends; and for this rea-
son the warmth OF friendship evinced
by Uncle Nelson in sending me on this
peculiar mission TO Dom Miguel de Pin
ira had caused me no little astonish-
ment.
After his simple handshake my UnCIe
walked back 10 his Office. and imme-
diately boarded the Castina to look
after the placing of my trunks. Before
I had fairly settled myself in nv coy
stateroom. we were under way and
sJeaming down the river toward the
open sea
On deck I met a young gentleman OF
rather prepossessing personality, who
seemed quite willing to enter into con
sersation- He was a dark-eyed. hand
some Brazilian. somewhat effeminate. l
thought. but well dressed and Of pleas
ing manners. His card bore the in
scription. Manuel Cortes de Guarde"
He expressed great delight at finding
me able to speak hts native tongue. and
rendered himself 80 agreeable that we
had soon established very cordial rela-
tons. He loved to talk, and / love to
listen. especially when I am able to
gather information by so doing, and de
Guarde seemed to know Brazil per-
fectly. and To delight IN describing It.
! noticed that he never touched on poll
ties. but from his general conversation
1 cleaned considerable knowledge of the
country l was about to visit
During dinner he ehatted away con-
tinually In his soft Portuguese patois,
and the other passengers, less than a
dozen in number seemed content to al
low him TO monopuIize the CONVERSE
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04
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The tall policeman frownrd.

The tall policeman frOwncd.
why are you here. Marco" he de-
manded. in a threatening voice.
For thisT' was the prompt answer;
and with the words I caught a quick
fash as the man named Marco buried a
knife 10 the hiIt I'm the others breast
My captOT scarce uttered q sound a.
he pitched head foremost upon the floor
Of the now flying wagon. The driver had
but given a glance over his shoulder and
lashed his horses to their utmost speed.
Citizens on foot looked up huTriedly at
the uniformed men seated In front, and
lodged to the right or left ObIiviOUs TO
the murder just committed behind the
canvas cover.
Cold with horror at the revolving deed.
I gazed into the dark eyes of the muir
derer. He smiled as he answered my
look and shrugged his shoulders. as II
eXcusing the crime
"a blow for freedom. senhorI" he an
nounced. in his soft, native patois.
Dom Miguel would be grieved were you
captured by the police"
l. started
Dom Miguel You know him, them
'AssUredly, senior. You are the new
secretary. Otherwise you would not be
so foolish as to demand A ticket to
NDF apa-Efle seat OF the IEhOluAAOns
I begin to understand" I said after a
moments thought. You are Of the po-
lice?''
Sergeant Marco, senior; az your ser
vice. And ! have ventured to kill our
lear lieutenant in order TO insure your
safety. I am sorry he added. gently
touching the motiOnless form that lay
between US; the lieutenant was a good
cOmTade-but a persistent royalist-'
Where are you taking me?' 1 asked
ITO a suburban crossing, where you
may catch the Matte Crosse train
And you2"
Il? I am in no danger. senior It is
you who have done this cruel deed-and
you will escape The driver-a true
patriOt-win join me in accusing you
1 nodded, my horror of the tragedy
growing each moment Truly this revo-
luton party must be formed of desper-
ate and INSCRIPTIONS men, who hesi-
tated at no crime to advance their inter
ests. If the royaiists were but half so
cruel. 1 had indeed ventured into nest
Of addeTs. And it was the thought of
valcour's confessed purpose to murder
me on shipboard that now sealed my
lips from a protest against this deed
that was TO be laid upon my shoulders.
CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

horrid plot but amuses our secretary.
for Valcour has only poor Captain
Lsrtine to AID him, whereas the won
derful American has a following of
desperate men trained TO deeds OF
blOOdshed, who will obey his slightest
nod. From what I learn, I am con-
fident the plan is to assassinate my
friend NalcOur IN A secret manner,
for here is q rare opportunity to rid
themselves of a hated rOyalist spy
Poor de Guarded / would like TO
warn him Of his danger, but dare
not. Even then. 1 doubt his ability
to escape. The tolls are closing about
him. while he innocently imagines
that he. as the Emperor's agent, con-
trolls the situation 1t would all he
laUghable. were IL not so very terri
bic IN It's tragic aspect.
But therei I must not mix with
peYtios, but strive to hold alOof from
either side. The secretary, though
DOUBTLESS q marvel Of diplomacy and
duPlipity, Is TOO INSCRIPTIONS to suit
me He has actually corrupted the
entire crew. from the engineers down,
and at his word I am assured the
fellows would mutiny and seize the
ship. What chance has my poor
friend de Guarde-Or Valcour-tO eS-
cape this demon? Yet. after all. It is
not my affair. and I dare not speak
This entry 1 intended to puzzle Senior
VRicOuT, even II it failed to wholly de-
ceive him. I wrote IL with assumed
carelessness, to render II uniform with
the former paragraphs the book con-
tanned. These last were of a trivial ma
tUre. dating back for some months.
They would interest no one but myself;
yet I expected them 70 be read, for 1
left the diary lying upon my shelf, hav-
ing first made a number Of pin marks
in the paint at the edges Of the cover,
so that I might assure myself, on my
return to the room, whether or not the
book had been disturbed.
This task completed, locked the door
behind me and cheerfully Joined the
breakfast party in the main cabin
De GUarde was not present, but no one
seemed to miss him. and we fingered
long in light conversation over the
meal. as is the custom of passengers
aboard a sIow-going ship
AfteIward. when 1 went on deck. 1
discovered de Guarde leaning over the
rail evidently in deep thought. As I
stroIied past him, putting my cigar, he
turned around and the sight of his
face. white aud stern. positively startled
me. 7 he soft, dark eyes had lost their
confident. merry look. and bore a trace
Of fear. No need to examine the pin
marks on my shelf The Emperor's spy
had, without doubt, read the false entry
in my diary, and it had impressed him
beyond my expectation
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04
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Perhaps the adventure eulices him"
returned dc Guarde's soft voice. in re-
fccuvA tones He is but lately from
college. and his uncle may wish him to
know something of Brazil, where the
greater part Of the Harcliffe fortune has
been made
Deus meoH' exclaimed the CAPTAIN;
but you seem to know everything about
everybody. my dear Naicour. However.
this suspicion of young Harcliffe is nom
sense. / assure you. You must look else
where for the new secretary-provided,
of course he is on my ship"
oh he is doubtless on board" an
swered de Guartie. with a low, confident
laugh De Pintra's letters asked that
man be sent on the first ship bound
for Rio. ard Nelson Harciiffe is known
TO act promptly in ali business matters.
Moreover, I have studied carefully the
personality of each Of rour passengers
and none Of them seems fitted for the
post so perfectly as young Harclife
himself. I assure you. nv dear Lsr-
tine, that 1 am right He can be going
out for no other purpose than to assist
de PintraS
The captain, vhistled softly.
Therefore2'' he murmured.
Therefore, continued de Guarde.
gravely, 1T IS my duty to prevent his
reaching his destination
You wiz have him arrested when we
reach Rio7"
Arrested? No, indeed. These Amcr,-
cans at Washington become peevish n
We arrest one OF their citizens, however
criminal he may be. The situation
demands delicate treatment, and nv
orders are positive. Our new secretary
Tor the revolution must not reach Rio"
Again the captain whistIed-a vague
melody. with many false and uncertain
notes Anu the other remained silent.
Naturally. ! found the conversation
most interesting. and no feeling OF deli
cacy prevented my straining my ears to
catch most OF it. II was the captain
who broke the long silence.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04
CHAPTER l.
THE BLUE ENVELOPE.

GAMING back in my chair on
l. the opposite side of the
great square desk, l smoked
my morning cigar and watched
Uncle Nelson open the mail He
had an old-fashioned way of doing
this: holding the envelope IN his
left hand, clipping its Tight edge
with his desk shears, and then re
moving the Enclosure and arefully
reading 1t before he returned it to
its original envelope. Across one
end he would make a memorandum
of the contents, after which the let
tiers were placed In a neat pile, a
time-consuming and laborious sys-
TEN clearly out of tune with the
year 1889.
As I watched him methodically
working, Uncle Nelson raised a
large blue envelope. clipped It's end,
and read the Enclosure with an ap-
pearance of unusual interest. Then,
instead of adding it TO the pile be-
fore him, he laid it aside; and a few
minutes later reverted to 1t again,
giving the letter a second careful
perusal. Deeply musing for a time.
he sat motionless in his chair Then,
arousing himself from his deep alb
straction, he cast a heeting glance
in my direction and composedly re-
sumed his task.
1 knew Uncle Nelson's habits 50 we'll
that this affair of the blue envelope told
me plainly the communication was Of
unusual Importance. Yet the old gen
tleman calmly continued his work until
every letter the mail contained was
stacked before him and fully docketed-
With the last he suddenly swung around
IN his chair and faced me.
Robert said he, how would you
like to go to Brazil?"
Lacking a ready answer to this blunt
question, I simply stared at him.
DE Pintra has written me-" he con-
tinued-'dO you know Of Dom Miguel de
Pintra pc shook my head. He is one
Of the oldest customers Of the house.
His patronage assisted US in getting es-
tablished. We are under deep obligations
10 de Pintra''
4 do not remember seeing his name
upon the books" I said, thoughtfully.
mo: before you came into the firm he
had retired from bUsiness-for he is a
wealthy man. But 1 believe this re-
tirement has been bad for him. His
energetic nature would not allow him to
remain idle. and he has Of late substi-
tuteG politics for business
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

leave the table on any pretext. see that
1 am duly warned"
Certainly. senior"
And now I am going to bed. Good
night, Lertine"
Good night. de Guarde"
They moved cautiously away. and a
few minutes later | followed. regaining
my stateroom without encounterinS any
one
Once in my bunk. lay revolving the
situation In my mind. Evidently il was
far from safe to involve oneself in Bra
Gillian politics. My friend Vaicour. as
the captain had called him. was a spy
of the Emperor. incorporating under
the title OF Senior Manuel Cortes de
Guarde. 4 clever fellow. indeed. despite
his soft, feminine ways and innocent
CHATTER and one who regarded even
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

.sThat IS not so bad" I remarked,
lightly. Some people make a business
Of politics. and often it proves a fairly
successful one"
Ny uncle nodded.
Here in New Orleans yes" he &C
knowIedged; but things are vastly diff
ferent in Brazil. am sorry to say that
Dom Miguel is a leader of the revolu-
tionists.'
"Ah,'' said I, impressed by his grave
tone. And I added; Il have supposed
that Dom Pedro is secure upon his
throne, and personally beloved by his
subjects"
He is doubtless secure enough re-
marked Uncle Nelson, dTyIy; but, al
though much respected by his people,
there is. I believe, serious opposition to
an imperial form Of government. Re
belIions have been numerous during his
reign. Indeed. these people of Brazil
seem rapidly becoming Republicans IN
principle. and it is to establish a repUb-
Vcan form Of government that my friend
de Pintra has placed himself at the head
of a conspiracy
Good for de Pintra!' cried. heartily
NO, no; it is bad" he rejOiped, with
, frown- There is always danger in
Imposing established mOnaTChies, and in
this case the Emperor Of Brazil has the
Countenance of both Europe and Amer
lea
nausea. and again regarded me earnest
Iy.
7 believe you are the very person,
10
wishes me TO secure for him secretary
whom he may trust implicitly At pres
ent- he writes me. he is surrounded by
the Ernperor's SPIES Even thr members
Of his own household nay be induced to
betrsv him. Indeed. I imagine my old
friend IN a very hotoed of intrigue and
danger. Yet he believes he could trust
an American who has no Partially for
uonarchfes and no inducement to sym
p,rbfze with any party but his own
VIII you go, Robert2'
The question. abrupt though 1t was,
did not startle me. those accustomed
TO meet Nelson HarcIiffe's moods must
think quickly. stu, hesitated-
can you spare me. uncle?'
Not very we'll" he admitted You
have relieved me of many of the tedious
details of business since you came home
from college But, for de Pintra's sake.
7 am not only willing you should so,
but I ask you, as q personal favor, TO
hasten to Rio and serve my friend faith
fully, protecting him, so far as you may
be able. from the dangers he is facing.
You will fnI him a charming fellow
a noble man, inceed-and he needs just
such a loyal assistant as I believe you
will prove. VIII you 90, Robert?'
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

assassinate me In the Emperors inter
ests. Attracted toward him, in spite Of
my discoveries. made several attempts
to resume our former friendly inter-
course; but he recoiled from my over
lures and Stunned my society.
In order 10 impress upon de Guarde
the truth of the assertions had made in
the diary, selected a young physician.
a DR.. Neel, to inpersonate the intrigu-
ing and bloodthirsty American secre-
tary. He was a quiet. unobtrusive fell
low. with an intelligent face. and keen.
inauiring look in his eyes. I took occa-
sion to confide to Dr. Neel, In a mysteri-
Gus manner that must have amused
him. that was afflicted with an incom-
prehensible disease. He promptly mis-
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

murder as permissible in the execution
Of his duty TO Dom Pedro. 1t was the
first time in my life 1 had been, to my
knowledge. in any personal danger. and
the sensation was rather agreeable than
otherwise
1t astonished me to discover that de
Guarde knew so perfectly the contents
OF Dom Miguel's letter to my uncle.
Doubtless the secret police had read and
made d copy Of it before the blue en-
velope had been permitted TO leave
Brazil. But. in that case, I could not
understand why they had allowed the
missive TO reach its destination
In his cool analysis Of the situation.
my friend the SPY had unerringIy hit
upon the right person as the prospective
secretary of the revolutionary leader.
Yet he had no positive proof, and It was
pleasant to reflect that in my pos
session were no papers OF any sort that
might implicate me. Uncle Nelson had
even omitted the customary letter of in
PRODUCTION.
De Pintra knew your father and
your face viii therefore voueh for your
identity" the old gentleman had de-
clared. Others have remarked upon the
strong resemblance 1 bear my father.
and had no doubt de Piutra would
recognize me. But. in addition. I had
stored in my memory a secret word that
would serve as talisman in case of need
y = y q
The chances Of my puzzling Dom
Pedro's detective were distinctly in my
favor, and l was about to rest content
in that knowledge, when an idea took
possession of NE that promised so much
amusement that I could not resist IN
dertaking Il. 1t may be that I was in
fiuenced by mild Chagrin at the decep-
ton practiCed upon me by de Guarde. or
the repulsion that a secret service man
always inspires In the breast Of a civ
ilian. Anyway, I resolved to pit my wits
against those of Senior vaIcour. and.
having formulated my plan, I-felI asleep
and rested comfortably until daybreak.
It had been my habit TO carry with me
a pocket diary, inscribirg therein any.
vivid impressions or important events
that occurred to me. There were many
blank pages, for my life had been rather
barren of incident Of late; but I had re-
solved TO keep a record Of this trip. and
for this purpose the little book was now
lying upon the low shelf that served as
table in my room.
Arising somewhat before my usual
hour I made a hurried toilet and sat
down to make entries in my diary I
stated that my sudden desire to visit
Brazil was due to curiosity. and that my
uncle had placed several minor business
matters in MY hands to attend to- Ny
return to New Orleans would depend en-
tireIy upon how we'll liked the country
where our house had so successfully
traded for half a century. Arriving at
this point, 1 added the following para
graphs
On the ship with me Uncle Nelson
IS sending q private secretary to Dom
Miguel de Pintra. who. ii seems. was
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

an ancient customer Of our house,
but Is now more interested in politics
than in commerce This secretary is
a remarkable fellow, yet so placid
and unassuming that no one is likely
10 suspect his mission He seems to
know verifying, and has astOuished
NE by his intimate knowledge Of all
that transpires upon the ship. For
example, he tells me that my friend
de GtIarde, of whom I have already
grown fond. IS none other than a GER
tain Valcour. Wen known in the
secret service Of his Ma jesty the FIN
perOT Of Brazil Valcour IS on our
boat because he knows the contents
OF letter written by de Pfntra to
my uncle. asking for a shrewd Ameri-
can to become his private secretary;
also Nalcour is instructed to dispose
of the rebel secretary before we land
at Rio-meaning, Of course, to muir
der him secretly. This seemingly
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04
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Uncle Nelson's sudden proposal gave
me = thrill OF eager interest. best ex-
pIsined by that fascinating word dan
ger" Five minutes before I would have
smiled at the suggestion that. visit a
foreign country on so quixotic an err
rand: but the situation was. after all.
as simple as IL was sudden in develop
ment, and my uncle's earnest voice and
ewes emphasized HIS request IN no uncer-
tain manner. Would 1 go? Would I,
young man on the threshold Of life. with
pulses rapidly responding to the sugges-
ton of excitement and adventure. leave
INV humdrum existence IN a mercantile
establishment to mingle IN the intrigues
Of a nation striving to cast of the
shackles OF q monarchy and become free
and independent? NJ answer was as
sured-
Nevertheless, We HarcI6es are chary
OF exhibiting emotion. Any eagerness
on my part would felt. have seriously
displeased my reserved and deliberate
uncle. Therefore I occupied several min
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

TINS marks distinct departure, giving to readers
romance, fresh from the pen of The author, pre-
seHted solely lis merits and not because the book
re1iescers and F0HhHter5 set the stamp of their ap
br0vdl on If as a book.
THAI "The Fac Of a Croson" has intrinsic merit
every reader oUW agree before the first n5alnenf is
finished. 1t is story fHH of action from STAR 10
fHh sCTfeH EClh the ease and grace of one 5CHo has
something TO Srfe and kHogcs ho5v to scrife it, No
SUords are 7Uased in long, tresome descriptions and
yet nothing lacking make clear every scene and
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

If LALOST revolutionary as The plot of this
II remarkable story is The manner Of its pres
Il Il eHtatioH to the reading public Heretofore
has been the custom for newspapers in selecting
story for serial publication, choose one that has
already appeared in book form and has met the
aPprovaI of readers. This story, "The Fate Of a
CrosgH appears for the frSt time. II is one Of
the feasO fesO that il IS almost possible say it is
the only oHe-reaAy great stories to make initial
appearance in newspaper serial form.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

sHatioH There is not prosaic passage in the sohoLc
SfOry.
II breafhes the true spirit of reVoiatioH; not the
spirit of anarchy bit The real devofioH TO "Cause"
sutch al9vayS wins In this it is Ameyican-indeed
the hero IS american coIlegian-bnt in all else it
BraSiliaH svth local coorng sUkich shozCs long
and careful study of and times and places before
The zrier PIT pen TO paper Events quickly
sCk rhythm that holds attention until the last line
has been reached
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

Nevertheless. my dear Valcour-"
DE Guarde, if you please"
Nevertheless, de Guarde, our Mr..
HarcIife may be innocent. and merely
journeying TO Brazil on business"
I propose to satisfy myself on that
point. Great God, mani do you think
love this kind of work-eyen for the.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

ton I noticed that Captain Lertine
treated de Guarde with fully as much
consideration as he did me. while the
other passengers he seemed to regard
with naughty Indifference However. ]
made the acquaintance of several of my
fellow-voyagers and found them both
agreeable and intelligent.
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

utes IN staring thoughtfuIIy- through
the open window before 1 finally swung
around IN my chair and answered:
Yes. uncle. 1 will go"
Thank you" said he, a flush Of
pleasure spreading over his fine old
face. Then he turned again to the let
ter in the blue envelope. The Castina
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04
CHAPTER III.
A GOOD REPUBLICAN.

~ URING the remainder OF the voy-
age 1 had little intercourse with
- Senior Manuel CoTtes de GUarde-
Indeed. / had turned the tables
quite Cleverly upon the spy, who doubt
less imagined many dangers in addition
to those Indicated in my diary. For my
part. l became a bit ashamed Of the
imposition I had pTacticed. despite the
fact that the handsome young Brazilian
had exhibited q perfect willingness to
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

Fmperor's protection? But my master is
just, though forced at times to act with
seeming cruelty. I must be sure that
HarcIiffe is going to Brazil as secretary
TO the rebel leader, and you must aid
me IN determining the fact. When our
man goes 10 breakfast In the morning I
viii examine his room for papers. The
psss-key is on the bunch you gave me,
1 suppOSe7T
Yes, il is there"
VERY well. Join your passengers at
breakfast. and should Mr.. HarclifTe
The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-06-04

sails on Wednesday, 1 see. and Dom
Miguel wishes his new secretary TO go
on her. Therefore you must interview
Captain Lertine at once and arrange for
passage"
Very well, sir"
I took my hat, returned my uncle's
grave bow. and left the Office.