A Silver Brand — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. | 297 “Who comes at this unseemly hour?” asked an angry and haughty voice from a balcony above. ‘‘One who has a right to intrude at any hour,” answered the prince as haughtily. gorges } The Baron Valentin knew the voice. He gave a little shiver and fell back in amazement. "Sa “Who is there?” shouted Von Schubert, in a still fiercer tone from the other side. . Quickly and angrily rang out the intruder’s answer: ‘‘How long am I to be kept here waiting! Come down, Von Schubert, and see for yourself.” “Good heavens! it is the prince! What evil errand has brought him here at this hour?” muttered Von Schubert, in utter consternation, as he scrambled back and called hastily to his valet. ? nese In as brief atime as might be where every’ hand was shaking with vague alarm, as well as the nervousness of haste, the: great doors swung open, and into the dimly lighted hall strode the new-comer, followed by his men. Von Schubert, with bared head bent low, stood waiting. “Your royal highness has important business, surely.” _ "None other would have brought me here—in truth, I nave little liking for the place,” was the crusty reply. “I am going to search every nook and cranny of the building. But. first, Von Schubert, I want to know where is the secret passsage-way?” he added, eagerly. “The secret passage-way, your highness? In all my ex- perience here I have heard of no such thing,” returned Von Schubert. “Call up the servants—all the old servants; and bring in that very dignified and noble gentleman who first hailed me—I mean the Baron Valentin Baer.” “T am here,” spoke a cold, stern voice, and the baron, hastily robed in a dressing-gown, advanced haughtily. There was no obeisance, not even a bow of salutation, but with a pale face and a flashing eye the baron con- fronted dauntlessly this rudely coming and unwelcome though royal visitor. : A careless and yet curious and withal contemptuous smile played across the prince’s face. “T hope I see the Baron Baer in the enjoyment of health, and honor, and happiness,” spoke he, in a tone of ironical politeness. ‘‘Itis along time since I have had the pleas- . ure of meeting your lordship. If I remember. right, I made a few promises to you. I trust you will not accuse me of failing to fulfill them.” cS (E(e) Eomichoo