it, you black-a-vised sweep of darkness! I am a
true-blue Presbyterian, I tell you, and I will have no Torquemada
business where Rollo Blair is."

But the dark monk only shook his head, and for the first time smiled.

"The exclamatory stranger is misled by a curious echo, which has given
this place its name. It is called 'The Gate of the Groans,' and our wise
predecessors chose the place for the entrance of their treasure-chamber,
as giving ignorant men the idea that the properties of the Abbey were
protected by demons! I had not, however, hoped that the ingenious little
arrangement would deceive one so wise and experienced as the _caballero_
with the long sword. Our novice, Brother Hilario, will inform his friend
that what I have said is well known in the monastery to be the case!"

"I have heard it so stated," said Etienne, with some reluctance, and
speaking not at all as his monastic name would import.

The groans came again and again, apparently from the earth, and Rollo,
not yet fully convinced, stamped here and there with his foot and
battered the walls with the basket of his sword, till he added a dint or
two to the tasselled hilt of "Killiecrankie." All in vain, however, for
the walls were solid, and the floor beneath his feet rang dull and true.

"Firm as the Rock of Peter," said the Confessor grimly, "on which Holy
Church is built. _Tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram----!_"

"I know that verse," cried the Scot, getting quickly in front of him;
"but I can show you in a quarter of an hour that the Romanist argument
from these words proceeds upon a misconception--if you will do me the
honour to follow me----!"

"Follow _me_!" said the sepulchral monk curtly, and pointing upwards as
the sound of a bell was wafted down to them faintly. "That is the hour
of midnight. Let us attend the call!"

So for that time Rollo's argument against the Romanist doctrine of the
Rock of Peter was shut within him. It was not long, however, before he
had other matters to think of.

They followed their guide through a maze of dark passages, till, with a
sudden "Attention!" he halted them before a door, from the other side of
which came a sound of voices.

The door opened and all the world seemed suddenly filled with clear
singing and glorious light.

Without the least preparation or preface Father Anselmo ushered the
three young men into the great chapel of the order of the Virgin of
Montblanch.

To Rollo it seemed almost