The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

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But at length he was awiak- | ened from his reverie by hearing some one address him by his name; and sud- denly pulling up his foaming steed, he raised his eyes and beheld the Baron of Altendort. ‘This dreaded nobleman was mount- ed on a coal-black horse, and likewise | ‘and agents in all parts; and these vo- appeared to have ridden forth alone. The Baron of Idegardo shuddered as he met his looks ; for it struck him that there was something ominous and of evil augury in this meeting. ' THE BRONZE STATUE. you to some extent. The Tribunal of terrible of those Secret Societies which originated in Westphalia and which are known in Germany by the name of the Vehmgericht. ‘s+ The organisation is shrouded in mystery ; and its proceedings are in- volved in the strictest secrecy. Its in- ‘fluence extends throughout Bohemia; -and appalling is the punishment which ‘it inflicts forthose offences that come within its cognizance. Being a secret association, it requires secret members taries of the Bronze Statue consist of women as well as of men. For over every grade and class of society does the tribunal exercise its supervision; . | ‘ss+T am well pleased that accident | should have thus brought us together, - . my lord,” said the Baron of Altendortf, im his deep voice, ‘‘ and still more so moment when we both happen to be alone. For in the first place I have to offer your lordship my congratulations on the brilliant alliance which you have formed; and secondly I would fain learn whether there be as yet any pros- | yect of your lordship’s vow being ac- complished by the dedication of a first- born to the service of the Bronze 5Sta- tue !”’ and those who are devoted to its service are bound by the most tremendous oaths to denounce in secret all who | offend against its laws—be they even that our evcounter should occur at a ‘father, mother, brother, or sister whom the individual may thus be called upon to inform against.” ‘+ And it is to this atracious occupa- tion of a secret spy that I have pledged ‘my first-born!’ exclaimed the Bargn of Ildegardo, no lenger able to restrain his indignation. ‘By the living God: sooner than allow son or daughter of mine to play the part of assassin in the 'dark—to become ten thousand times } ‘Thus spoke the Baron of Altendorf, | worse than the hired bravo, and inh- who, was at that time a comparatively | nitely more despicable than the wretch young man himself, his age being a thirty. He was tall in stature and bout | whu stabs his enemy in the back——’ + +s Hold, my lord!’ said the Baron of somewhat inclined to be portly in his | Altendorf, waving his hand so impeti- erson; his countenance was swarthy ; | ously and with such an evident con- his looks were forbidding ; and altoge- | sciousness of superior power that my ther his aspect was calculated to in- spire emotions of raingled awe and aversion. «s¢ My lord,” exclaimed the Baron of Ildegardo, experiencing those feelings now, ‘I can scarcely believe it possible | that you will hold me bound to a pledge so rashly made and involving a matter concerning which I am utterly ignorant. For the’ very nature of the service to which, in my despair, L vowed my first- born, is unknown to me, nor do | en- tertain the slightest notion of the attri- aye, and even subdued and spirit- crushed all in a moment, as if beneath some supernatural influence fraught with unearthly terror. ‘* Dare not [0 maliga the servitors of the Bronze Sta- tue, or | swear that thou shalt be num- ‘-bered amongst its victims! And that this is no idle menace I will soon con- vince thee.” noble master felt himself over-awed,— ‘ Having thus spoken, the baron blew a shrill whistle which he took from the breast of his doublet; and the sum- butes of the Tribunal of the Bronze’ mons was almost instantaneously an- Statue.” | «¢« At the moment when you formed swered by the appearance of three or ‘four armed horsemen who galloped up the compact with me, my lord,” said | to the spot. The Baron of Iidegardo the Baron of Altendorf, sternly, “ there | was made their prisoner in a moment; was no time to enter into explanations | for the awful consternation which was upon those points. But as you must naturally experience a profound curio- sity in that respect, I will now enlighten upon him prevented him from offering the slightest resistance. The ruffians blindfolded his eyes and bound him oa comicbooks.com