The black mask, or, Bonnie Orielle's lovers

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ... madly, desperately, her delicate hands raining blows upon his face, fast and furious, her white fingers clutching wildly at his hair, his beard, but all in vain. A terrible oath rose hissingly to his lips. Would they hear the wordless struggle going on within those narrow bounds? But no, he could have laughed aloud. The heavy stamping of the mules, goaded on by the fleck of Sykes' whip effectually drowned any minor blows upon the sides of the dark prison. With the cunning of a villain long inured to danger, ready with expedients, Sykes had guessed that the prisoner might be conscious--in fact, he had heard, or rather felt the commotion within his load and his sharp wits suggested the remedy. Eapidly our hero told his story, while Sykes listened in silence, and still that struggle went on within the vehicle. At length, dazzling lights flashed before the girl's eyes, a mist of blood, whirling in maddening circles with the rapidity of lightning flashes, a sound of roaring waters was in her ears; her senses were failing her, little white hands fell limply by her side, and with one last moaning gasp her struggles ceased, and there, within a few feet, and almost within reach of the hand of Lindor Gunnison, his beautiful love fell back unconscious. Dumesnil peered down into the pale, lovely face from which all sign of life had fled. "What if I have killed her?" he thought. "But even so, better that than I should be detected." He placed his hand upon her heart; there was a faint pulsation, and he drew a breath of relief. "She'll come out all right; these dainty, delicate women have as many lives as a cat! Thanks to the master whom I serve, I'll get off scot-free; but if that fire-eating cadet, her lover, or her hot-headed uncle should disc...