A Silver Brand — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRA ND. | 195 most an impossibility for the strongest man. Then had she reached the ground she had yet to find her way from out the locked gates of the high fenee, and through the long forest paths. And there was:no trace—no single trace, your highness,” repeated Seippel, mournfully. Again the prince wavered, and his face blanched. “How do you explain it, you and your wife?” he asked. Seippel gathered courage, perceiving the deep emotion on his master’s usually pitiless face. | “We know not. But, oh! your highness, her prayer was something thrilling. It might almost have moved the stones. We almost think’—and here Seippel looked heavenward—‘‘that our lady wrought a miracle espe- cially for her sake. She talked with the sky somuch what ~ wonder if some cloud floated down to bear her away ?” The prince dropped heavily into his chair, and passed ° his hand to and fro along his troubled forehead. “Such superstitions are wéak, childish,” he muttered, uneasily, and then he turned again to ask in something like his old, imperious manner : “ And when did this happen—what was the hour ?” ‘‘Vesterday, your highness, toward noon.” ‘Sand you have made sure she is nowhere hidden ?” ‘“Wehave. Our fear and alarm might well help us to sift over every nook and corner. She is not there, your highness. ” | “Well, well? I-willnot vent any anger upon you now until I have investigated all. .I shall come to-morrow. Go tell the knaves in yonder to give you a flagon of wine, and meat, if you wish it. I can see that this business has shaken you sorely. I will believe that you are without blame in the matter until I have other proof.” ‘‘T thank your highness most humbly for this grace,” an- swered Seippel, scarcely able to credit his good fortune in escaping with a whole skin and a head on_ his shoulders, -and he made all haste to retreat befcre the mild humor vanished. | As for the prince, he went slowly back where the count was still smoking and drinking. The latter looked at him curiously and exclaimed : “What calamity has overtaken you, my prince ?” He hastened to fill up his glass with wine, which the prince swallowed as if it choked him. Shi “Scohrodter,” said he, ‘‘are the days of miracles gone by? Could a delicate woman escape from the roof ofa solitary house three stories from the ground, and in the EComichbooks (6(@) m