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THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES
A STORY OF NEW YORK LIFE.
BY ANNA KATHARINE GREEN
AUTHOR OF "THE LEAVENWORTH CASE," "A STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE," ETC.
NEW YORKG. P. PUTNAM'S SONS27 & 29 West 23D Street
1881
COPYRIGHT, 1881, BY G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS.
TO MY FATHER I DEDICATE THIS BOOK AS EXPRESSING SOME OF THE PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE AND MERCY WHICH, BY PRECEPT AND EXAMPLE, HE HAS INSTILLED INTO MY BREAST FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD.
NEW YORK, _April, 1881._
"When all else fails love saves"
CONTENTS.
BOOK I. TWO MEN.
I.--A WANDERER
II.--A DISCUSSION
III.--A MYSTERIOUS SUMMONS
IV.--SEARCHINGS
V.--THE RUBICON
VI.--A HAND CLASP
VII.--MRS. SYLVESTER
VIII.--SHADOWS OF THE PAST
IX.--PAULA
X.--THE BARRED DOOR
XI.--MISS STUYVESANT
XII.--MISS BELINDA MAKES CONDITIONS
XIII.--THE END OF MY LADY'S PICTURE
BOOK II. LIFE AND DEATH.
XIV.--MISS BELINDA HAS A QUESTION TO DECIDE
XV.--AN ADVENTURE--OR SOMETHING MORE
XVI.--THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES
XVII.--GRAVE AND GAY
XVIII.--IN THE NIGHT WATCHES
XIX.--A DAY AT THE BANK
XX.--THE DREGS IN THE CUP
XXI.--DEPARTURE
XXII.--HOPGOOD
BOOK III. THE JAPHA MYSTERY.
XXIII.--THE POEM
XXIV.--THE JAPHA MANSION
XXV.--JACQUELINE
XXVI.--A MAN'S JUSTICE AND A WOMAN'S MERCY
XXVII.--THE LONE WATCHER
XXVIII.--SUNSHINE ON THE HILLS
XXIX.--MIST IN THE VALLEY
BOOK IV. FROM A. TO Z.
XXX.--MISS BELINDA PRESENTS MR. SYLVESTER WITH A CHRISTMAS GIFT
XXXI.--A QUESTION
XXXII.--FULL TIDE
XXXIII.--TWO LETTERS
XXXIV.--PAULA MAKES HER CHOICE
XXXV.--THE FALLING OF THE SWORD
XXXVI.--MORNING
XXXVII.--THE OPINION OF A CERTAIN NOTED DETECTIVE
XXXVIII.--BLUEBEARD'S CHAMBER
XXXIX.--FROM A. TO Z
XL.--HALF-PAST SEVEN
BOOK V. WOMAN'S LOVE.
XLI.--THE WORK OF AN HOUR
XLII.--PAULA RELATES A STORY SHE HAS HEARD
XLIII.--DETERMINATION
XLIV.--IN MR. STUYVESANT'S PARLORS
XLV.--"THE HOUR OF SIX IS SACRED!"
XLVI.--THE MAN CUMMINS
Damocles, one of the courtiers of Dionysius, was perpetually extolling with rapture that tyrant's treasures, grandeur, the number of his troops, the extent of his dominions, the magnificence of his palaces, and the universal abundance of all good things and enjoyments in his possession; always repeating, that never man was happier than Dionysius. "Since you are of that opinion," said the tyrant to him one day, "will you taste and make proof of my felicity in person?" The offer was accepted with joy; Damocles was placed upon a golden couch, covered with carpets richly embroidered. The side-boards were loaded with vessels of gold and silver. The most beautiful slaves in the most splendid habits stood around, ready to serve him at the slightest signal. The most exquisite essences and perfumes had not been spared. The table was spread with proportionate magnificence. Damocles was all joy, and looked upon himself as the happiest man in the world; when unfortunately casting up his eyes, he beheld over his head the point of a sword, which hung from the roof only by a single horse-hair.