A Silver Brand — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

1 or ae - ’ “3 y, ee : ——. A SILVER BRAND, 217 “TIT must get away before the tide is full again,” said Jack. “Remember all that I have-charged upon you, Mike. And keep a lookout for the schooner’s signal, though I do not look for it for ten days yet. I shall bring plenty of supphes the next time I come.” “Did you hear about the schooner, Serena ?” whispered Lina, as soon as the two men had left the room, locking the bolts behind them. ‘‘Do you think they mean to take us away in a schooner 2” 3 i “I hardly believe it. I should not wonder after all if. there is some foundation for *the fishermen’s story about the strange sights seen here. All this underground passage has its meaning. I suspect it is the retreat of some organ- ized band of smugglers, and that these two men are con- nected with the band. Pray Heaven that we are found before the schooner comes, if that is the case.” “Do you think they will ever find us? Just think how mysterious such a sudden disappearance must seem to them. There is not a single clew to show what has be- come of us.” “Very little, I know. They may find the empty boat that this gentleman came in; and my hat is in that. When the two boats were in contact I managed to push the hat with my elbows until it fell in. I don’t know ex- actly what object:I had except that it would show that the boat had been near.us. I begin to think of my poor dear grandmother. Iam afraid the anxiety ard suffering will make her ill. Oh, that IT had the power to send hera word of comfort.” ! ‘And to think we are so near, only so short a distance from our own island. Can it be they will leave this spot unsearched ?” pursued Lina, mournfully. “Thave great faith in Nat’s shrewdness and wisdom, Lina. Iam sure Nat will hunt us up,” returned Serena, reassuringly. “Let us hope for the best while we may.” ‘‘And besides it may clear up the mysterv that sur- rounds me,” continued Lina, brightening up. ‘‘If it does — that I shall be grateful for this adventure, hazardous though it mav be. Whatdid theman mean by saying - that Nat knew? If Iwas sure hedid he should have no rest or peace until he told me all. Ah, me! if only really and truly my Aubrey Dalberg would come and explain all.” “Your Aubrey Dalberg!” repeated the pale lips of the young gentleman on the cot-bed. “Do you mean that you knew an Aubrey Dalberg?” ; “Yes, and why have you stolen his name?” returned ecomicbooks (Efe)