A Silver Brand — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

OBO rs A SILVER BRAND. Double the guard outside at the point where you say they seemed to disappear into the ground. If you had been half witted some of you would have followed them. But we will have them yet. Ido not leave this place till they are found.” “Your highness,” interrupted a strange voice, *‘a courier has just arrived who has been scouring the country to find you, and has just traced you hither.” ‘‘A courier from whom ?” “From the court, your highness, with some important message,” : “Show him in here to this spot,” was the imperious command. And then, after the sound of shuffling feet, came another message : ; “Your royal highness, I bring word from the palace. The king has been seized with a sudden and alarming ill- ness, and has called for you. They are all searching for your highness.” | The obsequious tone betrayed the speaker’s knowledge of how speedily his royal highness might be merged into kingly majesty. How many hearts there sank dismally also at the conviction. , ‘‘Confusion! How Iam thwarted !” muttered the prince, impatiently, for lawless and unscrupulous as he was these were calls he dared not disobey. “I must go. I must ride back, and it may be impossible for me to return to-mor- row, or even next day. Von Schubert, Hernberg, I hold your heads both responsible for any escape from this place _ of these prisoners of mine. Remember, though it is the prince who commands the king may be the one to punish or reward.” “Whom does your highness leave in command?” asked Von Schubert’s clear, cold voice. “Of the place, yourself; of the prisoners, Hernberg. Get me a fresh horse, Max, and, Von Schubert, order me some wine. I have already been in the saddle for many hours, and there is still a long and tedious ride before me. It cuts me sorely to leave this thing unsettled, but there is‘no help for it. Keep good watch, Hernberg and it may be possible I shall return to-morrow night to see your tri- umphant entry into the mysterious passage.” And with this the prince took leave. ‘‘Another day’s grace,” muttered the old servant of the Schwarzenbergs. “Oh, for ten, nay, five minutes’ speech with the young master. I overheard a talk between Herr GEomicbooks co