A Silver Brand — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND, | 293 : Hernberg was just creeping through the still unclosed oor. With shaking knees and sinking heart he crept forward and tried to speak, but the words seemed glued to his stiff, reluctant lips. His royal patron turned upon him with a well- -pleased : smile. ‘You have done well, Hernberg. Ido not forget such prompt service. You have showed wisdom and loyal dis- position both. Come, lead me at once tothe lady. Iam impatient to congratulate her upon the speedy termination © of her romantic journey. And when I have paid my re- spects to her, I will come back to help you dispose of this valiant and philanthropic eronaut.” What cruel sarcasm played in the courtly tones. What deadly rage was glittering in his eyes. _ The fraulein, shrinking away in the shadow. of the cradle, rose from her knees and pressed both hands against the heart that seemed to stop its beating. And this was the royal prince, the man who was to sit on the throne when the aged king should pass away, her country’s ruler and king. Ah, amid all her terror she felt a thrill .of exultation. She would mourn no longer at exile. Letit come. Her Carl should be king, country, and all.. His broad, gener- ous heart, his noblé mind, his pure ‘soul were beyond the value of all the rest. But, oh, if Carl ahauid ne escape. If he and his hap- less companion were overtaken. Well might the little wife’s blood curdle at the thought. For even without the story Lady Pauline had told, she read the malignant, merciless nature in those savage eyes, that cruel, pitiless mouth. Her pale face, her wild eyes arrested the attention of the prince. A mocking smile crossed his face. ‘‘Ah,-I see, the balloonist’s treasures! Humph, they would be worth something now if the man had escaped us !” “Your highness,” groaned Hernberg, clasping his hands in entreaty, ‘that is just what has happened. He has escaped !” “Perdition! that is bad news. I have been puzzling all the way just what sort of punishment would most tor: ture the wretch,” snarled the prince. “Tndeed,- indeed, it was not through carelessness of . mine. The father of evil helped him surely, for I was watching the door of the room where he was every mo-- cS Gomicboo (Efe)