fixed upon the dead, whose repose they had violated.

Folding the graveclothes decently over the body, Luke prepared to
depart.

"Hold!" cried Lady Rookwood; "you go not hence."

"My brother Ranulph will not oppose my departure," returned Luke; "who
else shall prevent it?"

"That will I!" cried a sharp voice behind him; and, ere he could turn to
ascertain from whom the exclamation proceeded, Luke felt himself
grappled by two nervous assailants, who, snatching the pistol from his
hold, fast pinioned his arms.

This was scarcely the work of a moment, and he was a prisoner before he
could offer any resistance. A strong smile of exultation evinced Lady
Rookwood's satisfaction.

"Bravo, my lads, bravo!" cried Coates, stepping forward, for he it was
under whose skilful superintendence the seizure had been effected:
"famously managed; my father the thief-taker's runners couldn't have
done it better--hand me that pistol--loaded, I see--slugs, no doubt--oh,
he's a precious rascal--search him--turn his pockets inside out, while I
speak to her ladyship." Saying which, the brisk attorney, enchanted with
the feat he had performed, approached Lady Rookwood with a profound bow,
and an amazing smirk of self-satisfaction. "Just in time to prevent
mischief," said he; "hope your ladyship does not suffer any
inconvenience from the alarm--beg pardon, annoyance I meant to
say--which this horrible outrage must have occasioned; excessively
disagreeable this sort of thing to a lady at any time, but at a period
like this more than usually provoking. However, we have the villain safe
enough. Very lucky I happened to be in the way. Perhaps your ladyship
would like to know how I discovered----"

"Not now," replied Lady Rookwood, checking the volubility of the man of
law. "I thank you, Mr. Coates, for the service you have rendered me; you
will now add materially to the obligation by removing the prisoner with
all convenient despatch."

"Certainly, if your ladyship wishes it. Shall I detain him a close
prisoner in the hall for the night, or remove him at once to the lock-up
house in the village?"

"Where you please, so you do it quickly," replied Lady Rookwood,
noticing, with great uneasiness, the agitated manner of her son, and
apprehensive lest, in the presence of so many witnesses, he might say or
do something prejudicial to their interests. Nor were her fears
groundless. As Coates was about to return to the prisoner, he was
arrested