t. Now,
what I want you to do is this:--You know how many Sunday afternoons you
and I, and others of our old mates, have spent in card-playing in the
cellar of that old Hall--the Lord forgive me for having wasted his holy
day in such sin and folly! Now, I've a long story to tell, and I should
like to tell it in that same place where you and I joined in what was
sinful in our days of ignorance and darkness. I can tell you there how
I was brought to see what a fool's part I had been playing, and how I
came to my right mind at last. You can give me some good advice; and I
want to leave one or two little things with you to give or send to my
poor old mother when I'm far away. And when we've had our talk out,
we'll part at the old ruin, and I shall make the best of my way out of
the country, and begin a new and better life, I trust, where I'm not
known. I'm sorry to have given you the trouble to come out all this
way, specially on such a night as this; but I really don't feel safe
anywhere in or near Crossbourne, as the police might pop on me at any
moment, and I felt sure, from what I heard of the change that has taken
place in you, that you wouldn't mind a little trouble to help an old
companion out of the mire. You needn't be afraid to come with me; I can
have no possible motive to lead you into danger."

"I'm not afraid, Levi," said Foster quietly. "I'm ready to go with
you."

Nothing more was said by either of them till they had followed out the
footpath and stood before the gateway of the old Hall. They were soon
making their way cautiously amongst the fallen blocks of stone towards a
turret which rose to a considerable height at the end of the ruins
farthest from the gateway. "Go forward, William," said Sharples, "while
I light my lantern." So saying, he paused to strike a match, while his
companion threaded his way towards the turret. At this moment a figure,
unobserved by Foster, emerged from behind a low wall, and, having
exchanged a few whispered words with Levi, disappeared through an
archway.

The two companions, having now gained the turret, proceeded to descend a
few broken steps concealed from ordinary observation by a mass of
brushwood, and reached the entrance of a spacious vault. "Stay a
moment," said Sharples; "I'll go first and show a light." So saying, he
pushed past the other, and the next instant Foster felt himself held
fast by each arm, while a handkerchief was pressed over his mout