A Silver Brand — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

— 248 css A SILVER BRAND, the outer entrance stood a long time listening for any sound before they dared emerge from the great iron door- way. Close beside them all was still, but behind, up the heights which the underground passage-way descended, they heard the confused din of voices and tramping of feet. Wirt Womberg.: stepped forth first, and carefully mounted the great timber which ran along under the fioor- ing of the bridge, just above the water. A strengthening support for the structure so an ordinary observer would have believed it, but the old Schwarzenberg servant knew that it had served and been intended for quite another and as important a purpose. It was a safe and covered walk across the river, and could only be reached by the two secret door-ways, for a close network of iron pins and crossbeams prevented any stepping upon this timber from the outside, even were one in a boat upon the water. Wirt held out one hand silonthly to is mistress, the other held the shoes he had removed from his feet. She - also stepped upon the timber safely and noiselessly, and the zronaut followed. At a little distance above their heads was the sound of the sentinel’s tramp. They passed on beneath him, scarcely daring to trust a lengthened breath. They gained the end of the bridge, and the other door, through which alone was egress or entrance to the tim- bered walk. : There was another underground passage, wet and chilly, and full of noisome vapors, but fortunately short. From this they pushed through a tangled mat of briers, and stood on the river-bank, something like three rods below the bridge. Now there was no longer any protection for them. They stood upon the ground, out in the open air. Poor Wirt’s heart beat fearfully, and he felt the fingers clutching his grow icy cold, as the three stood a moment listening. __ “Hasten!” whispered Carl. “It is growing light al- ready. The day must be approaching.” ‘‘Heaven bless you, Wirt Womberg !” said Lady Pauline, softly, and wrung his hand, then dropped it, and turned to follow Carl’s lead. =» “Halt!” rung out a sharp, commanding voice. “Who ee ponneny Halt! or I send a ball to bring you toa stop !” | | - The call was echoed from behind and before. It was evident that a cordon of guards barred them from the road. | a Fad Bip — a - WwW <<; ECOMicboo