, "but I verily believe that the person that
owned this armour lies buried under us."

Upon this, a dismal hollow groan was heard, as if from underneath. A
solemn silence ensued, and marks of fear were visible upon all three;
the groan was thrice heard; Oswald made signs for them to kneel, and he
prayed audibly, that Heaven would direct them how to act; he also prayed
for the soul of the departed, that it might rest in peace. After this,
he arose; but Edmund continued kneeling--he vowed solemnly to devote
himself to the discovery of this secret, and the avenging the death of
the person there buried. He then rose up. "It would be to no purpose,"
said he, "for us to examine further now; when I am properly authorised,
I will have this place opened; I trust that time is not far off."

"I believe it," said Oswald; "you are designed by Heaven to be its
instrument in bringing this deed of darkness to light. We are your
creatures; only tell us what you would have us do, and we are ready to
obey your commands."

"I only demand your silence," said Edmund, "till I call for your
evidence; and then, you must speak all you know, and all you suspect."

"Oh," said Joseph, "that I may but live to see that day, and I shall
have lived long enough!"

"Come," said Edmund, "let us return up stairs, and we will consult
further how I shall proceed."

So saying, he went out of the closet, and they followed him. He locked
the door, and took the key out--"I will keep this," said he, "till I
have power to use it to purpose, lest any one should presume to pry into
the secret of this closet. I will always carry it about me, to remind me
of what I have undertaken."

Upon this, they returned up stairs into the bed-chamber; all was still,
and they heard nothing more to disturb them. "How," said Edmund, "is
it possible that I should be the son of Lord Lovel? for, however
circumstances have seemed to encourage such a notion, what reason have I
to believe it?"

"I am strangely puzzled about it," said Oswald. "It seems unlikely that
so good a man as Lord Lovel should corrupt the wife of a peasant, his
vassal; and, especially, being so lately married to a lady with whom he
was passionately in love."

"Hold there!" said Joseph; "my lord was incapable of such an action; If
Master Edmund is the son of my lord, he is also the son of my lady."

"How can that be," said Edmund?

"I don't know how," said Joseph; "but there is a person who can tell if