e the open
pipes. Passing hurriedly around, on a narrow plank, to the back of
the organ, their agitated guide paused before a row of immense pedal
pipes, and, without allowing his own eyes to look, he held the light
that he carried for the others.

Both looked down into the cavernous tube that he indicated, and
both started back in surprise and fear.

"It is a man's legs!" gasped the frightened town official.

After the first moment of surprise had passed, they began to get
back their wits; and the young man advised that they send for
several strong men and lift out the pipe.

[Illustration: "HERE IS AN ODD TREASURE."]

This seemed sensible, and in a half-hour the men were at hand and
the pipe was drawn down to the level of the organ-loft and laid
horizontally. The workmen had been informed of the nature of their
work, and all were under intense excitement. The pipe was very long,
and the body was at least five feet from the top. One of the workmen
reached in a pole having a hook at the end, and the next minute drew
forth the dead body of the sinister old organist, Baptiste Lacombe.

There was a pause of silent horror. Nobody cared particularly for
the dead man, but the manner of his death was terrible.

"How did it happen?" whispered one.

"Perhaps it was suicide," answered another.

They began more closely to examine the huge tube. Francois Tegot,
who, although thus far cooler than the others, now seemed unable to
stand, pointed to the hand of the dead man, which was tightly
clenched upon a small cord. One of the workmen approached, and with
some difficulty drew out the line: and a new thrill of expectation
went through the silent company when they saw, attached to the end
of the line, an old leather bundle covered with dust.

Young Tegot now seemed to master himself by a great effort, and,
motioning the workman back, he advanced, and, lifting the bag
tenderly out into a more convenient position, he said solemnly, as
if to himself, "I have long suspected something was wrong, and now I
shall know."

Then he examined the bag, and at length took from his pocket a knife
and carefully cut open one side.

Despite the fact that he expected the revelation that now came, he
started back, for the opening revealed a piece of cloth,--a coat,
which even the town official could recollect to be the coat of the
long-lost organist, Raoul T