Year: 1869

dragging our bodies through tangled
masses of grass and weeds, and getting
our faces and hands lacerated with thorns
and dry stalks, we came at length to q
marble arohway, In front of family
group of graves, which was Ned's land
mark, directing thence to the object of
our search. Noe.s1.A


The latter was now easily discovered,
for Ned had taken his directions very
carefully, and once arrived, the labor of
exhumation was Immediately begun. The
grave-digger had said that this was the
grave of Deleavitte, and we rested con-
fdently on that assertion. That the
earth had been recently filled in we knew
from its moist and loose condition.


If ever four mortals labored more en-
ergetically or persistently for the same
length of time, the object that stimulated
them must have been one far out of the
line of ordinary events. An hour at least
passed away while we were bowed over
that wearisome task-though it seemed
almost an age. We relieved each ether
frequently, and still the work went on.
1t was remembered, too, as something
peculiar, that thus far we had neither
seen nor heard any indications of the
presence of the guards and watchmen,
from whose vigilance we had anticipated
such serious difficulty.


This had scarcely become matter OF
surprise, however, before we were made
aware of the near vicinity of one of the
sentinels, by the sound of his heavy,
measured football on the level terrace
that surmounted the wall on the north
side of the cemetery. The sharp clank
of the iron plate on the heel of either
boot, betrayed the unpleasant fact, in ad-
dition, that he was one OF the regular
Metropolitan Police force, instead Of the
clumsy Irish laborer who was usually en-
ployed to perform such service, on sim-
liar occasions But the unusual impor-
tance of the present service necessitated
the employment of more experienced and
responsible guards.


We remained perfectly quiet while he
was passing, and even until he reached
the corner, then turned and traversed
the same route. Then, as the sound of
his footsteps became rapidly less distinct,
we resumed our task with renewed en-
ergy. 1t was evident that this policeman
had but just been put on his beat, and
rejecting on this fact we trembled, in
spite of our philosophical acceptance OF
the situation, fearing now instant sur
prise and detection. But the brief mo-
ments sped by, and no interruption came.
We had reached the box thst contained
the coffin, and all the earth was removed
above it. The implements were thrown
up on the edge of the open grave, and
the ropes were got in readiness. The lid
of the outside box was found not TO be
nailed, but merely fitted in like closed
door in its casing. 1t was now just raised
at one side, by two of our party, and
turned up on edge against the wall OF
earth. and thus balanced. The ropes
were let down to the man who remained
below. They we're three. fourths inch
sea-weed rope, new and stiff. In endeav-
orng to adjust them it was found that
the coffin fitted the outer box so closely
that the handles on either side could not
be raised sufficiently to allow the ropes
to pass through them. Nor could they
be passed under the burden, for the rea-
son that there was no room or place to
get hold of it to raise it.


With this discovery came the astound-
ing revelation that the receptacle for the
body was an expensive metallic burial
case, instead of the plain board coffin in
which the remains of Deleavitte were
known to have been enclosed. We had
been wretchedly deceived and success
fully mislsd, through the false represen-
tations made to Ned Sefron by
the sections man. That seemingly stu
pid laborer was no doubt following the
careful instructions of the church au-
thorities in that matter, in order to throw
every interested questioner off the track.
How well be had succeeded in this in
stance cur deep chsgrin and disappoint-
ment told ell too plainly.


We had not counted on the necessity Of
the disposal of a metallic burial casket
1t threw us into sore embarrassment
Ned Seffron chafed, fumed and swore,
softo poee. while Moliere crouched be-
side the excavation, grumbliDg in equally
subdued tones over the situation. Peters
and myself had little to say, and said it
Accordingly. We held brief council of
war.


'TLo.o os n rror;nona vo;ce in favnr