ad hung back out of respect to the rector, but at this a
rush was made for the belfry, the rectory pupils leading, and quite a
crowd filling the chamber where the ropes hung perfectly still.

"Nobody here, sir," shouted Distin, down the staircase.

"Dear me!" exclaimed the rector; who was standing at the foot, almost
alone, save that he had the companionship of the doctor and that they
were in close proximity to the churchwarden and the watchers outside the
door.

"Go up higher. Perhaps he is hiding by the clock or among the bells."

This necessitated Chakes going up first, and unlocking the clock-chamber
door, while others went higher to see if any one was hidden among the
bells or on the roof.

"I know'd there couldn't be no one in here," said Chakes solemnly, as he
held up his lantern, and peered about, and round the works of the clock.

"How did you know?" said Distin suspiciously.

"That's how," replied the sexton, holding up his keys. "No one couldn't
get oop here, wi'out my key or parson's."

This was received with a solemn murmur, and after communications had
been sent to and fro between the rector and Distin, up and down the
spiral staircase, which made an excellent speaking-tube, the rector
called to everyone to come back.

He was obeyed, Chakes desiring the pupils to stay with him while he did
the locking up; and as he saw a look exchanged between Macey and
Gilmore, he raised his keys to his lips, and blew down the pipes.

"Here, hallo!" cried Gilmore, "where's the show and the big drum? He's
going to give us Punch and Judy."

"Nay, sir, nay, I always blows the doost out. You thought I wanted you
to stay because--Nay, I arn't scarred. On'y thought I might want
someone to howd lantern."

He locked the clock-chamber door, and they descended to the belfry,
where several of the people were standing, three having hold of the
ropes.

"Nay, nay, you mustn't pull they," shouted Chakes. "Bell's been ringing
'nuff to-night. Latt 'em be."

"Why, we never looked in those big cupboards," cried Macey suddenly,
pointing to the doors behind which the weights hung, and the pendulum,
when the clock was going, swung to and fro.

"Nay, there's nowt," said the sexton, opening and throwing back the door
to show the motionless ropes and pendulum.

Vane had moved close up with the others, and he stood there in silence
as the doors were closed again, and then they descended to join the
group below, the chur