[Gutenberg 57199] • Mark Tidd's Citadel

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1916. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... chapter xxii the little Japanese gentleman kept ahead in spite of his silk hat and frock-coat. When he got to me he grabbed me by the arm and shook me. "Where is he?" he says, his voice shaking with worry and excitement. "Has harm come to him?" "No," says I, "but it was comin' rapid when I saw him last. Bring on your army." I turned and ran toward the citadel, with the whole pack of them at my heels. Just as we got to the bridge The Man Who Will Come, with a couple of his men at his back, came tearing down-stairs, but as soon as they saw the reinforcements they stopped and hesitated and then began to climb back again. The little Japanese gentleman shouted something in an angry voice and put on more steam, so that he passed me and got to the stairs first. We all ran up in a crowd. For a minute The Man stood at the top as though he'd make a fight for it, but panic got him, I guess, and he turned like he'd lost his head, and tried to scoot three ways at once. We pounded right up and two of our Japanese grabbed him by the arms. He didn't even struggle. Three of his followers huddled back in a corner of the gallery, glowering and sullen, but frightened, and the reinforcements attended to them. "Where is he?" the little Japanese gentleman demanded, and I pointed through the door just as Mark and Motu shoved the fourth of The Man's men out of the way and stepped into sight. Then a surprising thing happened. The dignified little Japanese gentleman, silk hat and frock-coat and all, went right down on his knees and bowed so his face was almost rubbing against the boards, and in a strangled voice said something in their own language to Motu, who stopped with the greatest look of surprise at sight of him. Then Motu stood still and drew himself up to his full height, and smi...