A Silver Brand — page 109: what you’re looking at

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

MST A SILVER BRAND, - 101 explanation to refute this. This discovery means death and ruin for one of us.” “It is not for me. Laccept no such interpreta- tion,” said Nat coldly, but his face showed his per- plexity and annoyance. “What a dolt [have been,” pursued Stephano, fiercely. “I came to you with all my plans, never asking for a proof of your friendship—nay, not even of your identity. How do I know now that you are really the man, really and truly Naiman Womberg? I don’t wonder you call mea boy. Ihave not acted liikeaman. But it is not too late yet to remedy all.” ae — “IT can answer one of your queries promptly,” | answered Nat, really feeling for the young man’s mortification and distress. “Iam certainly the one who first wrote to your father from America under the name of Naiman Womberg, but Naiman Wom- berg’s self Iam not—not that one to whom those old letters of Von Schubert are addressed. Can you not see, my lad, that a fortunate chance threw the true Naiman and his plot into my way? That-it was a master-move on the Schwarzenberg side, to pass myself off as Naiman, and appear to execute the will of Von Schubert and his master.” “If I could only believe it,” ejaculated Stephano, passionately; “but I will no longer be a credulous fool.” “Look at it reasonably. Why should I trouble myself to cajole you? There is nothing that you have told me that I did not know before. If I had held any unfriendly intentions toward you I might have murdered you last night, or the night before in your sleep, and none have been the wiser, for who would be able, if he had the interest, to trace the newly arrived German to my door? On my honor, Stephano, I assure you that you may, and you ought to trust me.” “But why?” persisted Stephano. “I see now the absurdity. What is your interest in us? This Naiman Womberg’s friendship my father explained by remembering that he saved his sister once from. drowning. But you—why should you be loyal to us Eomicbooks (Efe)