A Gentleman from Gascony: A Romance of the Huguenots — page 188: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

184, A GENTLEMAN FROM GASCONY, the sound proceeded, he saw to his amazement a face pressed close against the bars. “Not a word above your breath!” came the warning in the lowest of tones. “The sentinel is only two paces ~ from here.” “Who are you?” breathed the chevalier, scarce dar- ing to believe his eyes. “Pharos, the gypsy.” “ Pharos!” “Ves. And Mirza is below. Have courage, Mon- sieur le Chevalier, and you are free!” Free! Raoul’s heart bounded in his breast. The letter then was from Mirza, and action had followed close upon it. Without more words the Bohemian drew a file from his pocket, and, the noise concealed by Mirza’s singing, pro- ceeded, with skilful celerity, to cut through the iron bars. Raoul watched him in breathless silence. “Then fill, fill, oh fill! Let the can, let the can go round.” Mirza’s clear voice rang out on the still night air, accompanied by an occasional gruff note from the en- amoured sentinel. Raoul wondered idly if he would ever forget that melody. At last the task was accomplished. ‘The bars, severed at top and bottom, were removed and thrown noise- lessly upon the prisoner’s pallet. In another moment, the Bohemian sprang lightly through the opening into the cell. Mirza’s voice for an instant broke, and then pealed forth again triumphantly. The trite drinking-song sounded like a hymn of victory. (E(@) im = GComicbooks