the deeper he went the more encaustic
tiles. In one place they got down to the foundation, and they found an
oak chest fast in the rock--a sort of channel had been cut in the rock
for this chest, or rather box (for it was only about eighteen inches
long), to lie in. The master mason was there luckily, and would not move
it till the rector had seen it. He was sent for, but half the parish
was there before him; and he tells me there were three theories firmly
established and proved, before he could finish his breakfast and get to
the spot. Theory of Wilder, the village grocer: 'It is treasure hidden
by them there sly old monks.' Mr. Wilder is a miser, and is known to lay
up money. He is, I believe, the only man left in the North Country who
can show you a hundred spade guineas."

Mr. Raby replied, energetically, "I respect him. Wilder forever! What
was the next theory?"

"The skeleton of a child. I forget who propounded this; but I believe
it carried the majority. But the old sexton gave it a blow. 'Nay, nay,'
said he; 'them's the notions of strangers. I was born here, and my
father afore me. It will be Molly Slater's candle, and naught else.'
Then poor Molly's whole story came up again over the suspected box. But
I am very tedious."

"Tedious! You are delightful, and thrilling, and pray go on. The rector
had the box opened?"

"On the spot."

"Well!"

"The box went to pieces, in spite of all their care. But there was no
doubt as to its contents."

Grace exclaimed, enthusiastically, "A candle. Oh, do say a candle!"

Mr. Coventry responded, "It's awfully tempting; but I suspect the
traditional part of my story is SLIGHTLY EMBELLISHED, so the historical
part must be accurate. What the box did really contain, to my knowledge,
was a rush-wick, much thicker than they are made nowadays: and this
rush-wick was impregnated with grease, and even lightly coated with a
sort of brown wafer-like paste. The rector thinks it was a combination
of fine dust from the box with the original grease. He shall show it
you, if you are curious to see it."

"Of course we are curious. Oh, Mr. Raby, what a strange story. And how
well he told it."

"Admirably. We must drink his health."

"I'll wish it him instead, because I require all my reason just now to
understand his story. And I don't understand it, after all. There:
you found the candle, and so it is all true. But what does the rector
think?"

"Well, he says there is no connect