A Silver Brand — page 255: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. 247 with desperate haste, while he heard their loud curses and angry exclamations. The door opened to him its dim retreat, but the old man paused to open the nearest window and fling out: his coat and hat. “Let them think I leaped forth, if they are simple enough,” he muttered, and with noiseless steps he made hiss way into the secret passage, and carefully closed the panel behind him. Once there, he lost no time in hurry- ing down to the little room, where, so short:a time before, he had made a comfortable bed for the beloved mistress who seemed indeed miraculously restored from the dead. She started up nervously at sound of the flying feet. ‘““My lady, oh, my lady!” sobbed the faithful old man, all his calmness breaking down at a realization of her great peril; ‘‘you must fly! The prince is here! Some- how he has learned of your presence, and of this secret entrance. He is searching even now to find it. Hehas ~ sworn to tear the very walls apart to discover it. Come, oh, come! amid the darkness we may escape somewhere ; but to remain here is to be sure of falling into his hands.” She turned upon him her pale, bewildered face. “The prince here! Oh, cruel fate! Does that explain the loud noise I heard? Are you sure he knows I am here, Wirt?” | “ Alack, my lady! nothing can be more certain, and he isin afurious mood. I have myself escaped through the picture panel. Come! lose no time! They will break down the door. I fear they will discover this retreat.” She lifted one prayerful glance upward, then said - calmly: “Tet us hasten then. But first assure me that my son is safe. Alas! itis cruel to fly from the spot that holds this new-found treasure.” Carl Koeppel had listened to this with sorrowful atten- tion. “Come!” said he; ‘‘every moment is precious. . If it is as dim outside as when we entered I have strong hope that we may leave the place without detection. The passage- way emerging under the bridge is a great safety. Ree that we had tried it two hours ago !” Wirt had seized his mistress’ hand. “Come, I beseech you! I will accompany you to the bridge, and return to give your son a hint.concerning your destination.” They proceeded the rest of ,the way in silence, and at Eomichooks.co 3