A Silver Brand — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

A SILVER BRAND. 243 round sum in gold I ask for such a pretty creature,” he said, in a sort of rough kindness of voice. | CHAPTER XXIV. NO THOUGHT OF YIELDING. Surrounded by that circle of armed men—the unprin- cipled, mercenary tools of a fierce and lawless master— and confronted by the determined, angry face of the prince himself, the faithful old servitor of Schwarzenberg stood yet unflinchingly, without a single thought of yielding. “Do you understand that this is no child’s play—no womanish whim?” vociferated the prince. “It is treason for you to refuse, and the penalty is death, and not a short or easy one either. Old man, do you understand all this?” | | Wirt Womberg shook his gray head slowly. | ‘‘T only understand that it will be wicked and cowardly for me to break my solemn oath. I do not understand that my sovereign will allow one of his subjects, however | humble, to be thus rudely assailed: If lam guilty of any wrong-doing, it is the law that should try and punish me —the law that the king approves and indorses. More than this I do not know or understand.” : The prince gnawed-savagely at his lips. “See if you can quicken the old fool’s faculties into understanding what is required of him, Hernberg,” said he, motioning'to one of his ruffians—a significant gesture which ended with his hand on the dagger at his side. Von Schubert laid his hand lightly upon his arm, and whispered, anxiously : “Your royal highness will pardon me if I beg you to consider a moment. This might be made to look like high-handed assumption by .your enemies. Their repre- sentations to his majesty might produce much discomfort and annoyance for your highness.” His hand was flung unceremoniously aside. “Bah! Iwill take my own risks. A gray-headed old fool—a menial! Do you think his cause would win against that of the throne’s heir? I tell you I will find out what this thing means. I will find the fugitive concealed ‘here to-night if it costs me everything.” | Von Schubert, greatly disturbed and alarmed, went over to Womberg, and spoke to him persuasively : “Womberg, my good fellow, don’t tempt them to ill- (Efe) Eomicbooks