The Bronze Statue, or, The Virgin's Kiss — page 44: what you’re looking at

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

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Us we + Ba = - — TA 1886 a ew a =” = =e 7 © —_ a Midian —~ . — ig 42 ‘ And yet,’ exclaimed Sir Ernest de Col- mar, ‘the general impression must have been that these men had really murdered the three brothers through jealousy.’ ‘I recollect that there were innumerable conflicting opinions at the time,’ said tne | landlord. ‘Some looked upon the accused persons as guilty, in spite of their acquit- tal—and by those who viewed the matter: in this light, the liberality of the Baroness towards the suspected men was strongly blamed. Others fancied that the three Schwartz were not murdered at all ; but that they had fled afier either finding a treasure or robbing the castle of something which was nol however missed. I remember, too, there were vague and unaccountable ru- mors current at the time, that the three brothers had been met and recognized in the custody of some masked horseman, on the very night after their mysterious disap- pearance, and at several leagues distance from Prague ;—and other reports declared that they had been seen a second time—ai- 60 as prisoners in the charge of men mounted on fleet horses and wearing black masks—and, on this occasion, in the im- mediate vicinity of Altendorf Castle, which is a good three miles hence.’ ‘Altendorf Castle!’ exclaimed Koight. ‘ Hush—not so loud, I pray your Excel- lency !’ said the landlord in a tone of en- treaty. ‘And wherefore are you fearful of thet name being breathed in too high a tone?’ asked De Colmar. ‘Simply because the Baron of Alten- dort is at present alodger beneath my roof) was the reply: ‘and his lordship occupies the suit of rooms immediately overhead.’ ‘Ah! then a letter addressed to the Bar- on and of which I am the bearer, may be speedily delivered, observed the Knight.— ‘ But there is time for that presently. «You were telling me of the numerous vague re- ports which prevailed in reference to. the mysterious disappearance of the three bro- thers Schwartz: was it generally believed that they were indeed seen in the custody of masked horsemen ?’ Those rumors were not treated with par- the ticular attention,’ responded Templin, ‘ in-| asmuch as their origin could not be traced. | For my part, 1 Know that I was sorely puz- zled what to think: but twelve long years nave passed since then—and— ‘And in the meantime your impressions relative to the matter have become more confused and less vivid, said the Knight. ‘You observed, [ think, that no clue to the THE BRONZE STATUE, ‘The incident was indeed mysterious,’ remarked De Colmar. ‘And now, my wor- thy host, permit me to solicit at your hands some iittle information on other and far different subjects,’ ‘To the extent of my poor ability will I cheerfully comply with your Excellency’s ‘request,’ replied ‘l‘emplin. ‘Tell me, then, what the inhabitants of Prague think of the position of their capi- ‘tal and of their country,’ said the Knight. ‘First we will speak of the capital,’ re- sumed the landlord. ‘ Until within the last few weeks John Zitzka and his Taborites |dwelt in their tents outside the walls of | Prague, to whom they gave law. But hear- ing that the southern provinces were rising in rebellion, Zitzka suddealy marched off in that direction with all his troops; and report declares that he has not only achiev- ed the pacification of those districts, but has likewise obtained vast numbers of re- cruits. Where he is stationed now, and what his intentions are, I cannot say. But the moment he quitted the vicinage of of Prague: many of the most powerful no- bles returned to the city; and, having mus- tered forces for its defence, they resolved upon holding a council, to which several adjacent States should be solicited to send representatives as advisors. Strange to ray, 4itzka has taken no step to interfere with this proceeding, although it be in open de- fiance of himself and his power: and, while some look upon his inactivity as a proof of conscious weakness, others ‘trem- ble lest he intend to fall on the city with the suddenness and fury of a thunderbolt,’ And what is your opinion, worthy Mes- ser Cemplin ?’ inquired the Knight ‘I hold to the last-mentioned belief” wag the response: ‘because I am well aware that John Zitzka is no coward—no laggard —no vacillator. He has a motive for eve- | rything he does; and his present inactivity |has a subtle purpose in view. In a word, | Sir Knight,’ added the landlord, sinking his | Voice to an ominous whisper,—‘ I fear that | Aitzka is only permitting the principal no- bles to assemble at Prague, in order that-he may throw his net over them and make a grand prize at one fell swoop,’ ‘Aa! this is not improbable!’ ejaculated De Colmar, in whose mind the conversation -he had with the Taborite chief on the pre- ———— ———-— ceding morning was now uppermost: but regarding all that then took piace as havy- ing been communicated under the seal of secrecy—though no such pledge of silence was positively exacted from him—he-resoly- -ed (o appear utterly unacquainted with both ee , 7 fate of these three men was ever disco- | Zitzka and his intentions. 1 %) ‘ . . . vered ? | ‘The city of Prague,’ continued the Never, answered the landlord. | landlord, ‘is at this moment tranquil enough = eo « wi o 4s. * : ‘=e - 7 a ~ ~ ~ 7 : ~ Si 3 ~ ae > J -- a = ~~ = - ’ i —— a “ - ~ < - ~—_ - - a ° 4 ~< J SS ~ - i or * 3 o~ hey? ta” ie « : hes = ms nh, a — - — <2 - — 2.2 owe ~~ ——__— ~- _ ad s 9 an ve ° ~ : = : : ~ - a 7 oe wit oF oe . amet : a 4 - ~_ — > ——~ - o * 4 ~~ —_ = zs a » s & > » = _ - —— _ ow - - - ~ P 4 ~ 2 - -—-a- a ar r 7 = od = o= = - 7 — = . =) Pee ‘ , ~ a : - 2a? . 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