A Silver Brand — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

226 | A SILVER BRAND. somewhere, and the woman was tired, and had a faint, low voice, but wasn’t it soft and sweet !” | : “Go on, tell what he said,” was the stern interruption, ‘‘and not waste time in your idle descriptions.” “She said they must go somewhere, though he begged her to give it up. She said that there was a hidden treas- ure which she must find; that it would save their lives, perhaps, if they were taken. She talked grand enough. She said as a last resort with some sort of papers in her hand she should appeal to the king.” - The prince gnawed fiercely at his lip. “Goon; what else was said ?” “The man agreed at last to go, and said they were but a short distance away, but he feared the place was guarded. Then she laughed hghtly and said she feared notif only she reached some bridge, for there was a secret passage even into the very heart of the house, and she knew every step of the way.” The horse of the prince gave a fierce bound; his rider’s spur had been ground into the reeking fiank. A coin came whizzing over the peasant’s head. “Away, away! let us waste no more time!” shouted the prince. “But, your highness,” whispered Hernberg, “we have not found out in what direction to turn.” | “Have we not?” hissed he, between his teeth. “An arrow cannot fly straighter to its mark than I can lead to that artful woman’s goal. Turn your horse’s head straight toward Schwarzenberg, man.” And with this his plunging steed went loping on before them all, as if newly inspired with strength. So it happened just after dead midnight the nodding sentinel on the bridge started up at a loud hail and stared with amazement as the body of horsemen came galloping over to him. He had lifted his weapon menacingly, but a single glance at the signet ring on the white hand bared of its glove for the purpose made him lower it as hastily and bend in an humble attitude of submission. ~ On rode the horsemen, sweeping up the heights, follow- ing the graceful curve of the road, and gaining at length the broad lawn. Foremost rode the prince, meeting haughtily the challenge of the three sentinels, and it was his own hands that sent the loud alarm startling every sleeper in the great building. Eomicbooks (e(@)