ng since erected to my father and mother's memory. It was light enough
to read the inscription, and also to see that a new one had been added
to it. Wondering what member of our family was dead, I went nearer and
examined the stone more carefully. Then I saw that the new inscription
was in memory of myself!

I have never heard of a man reading his own epitaph, and truly it gave
me many curious feelings to stand there and read of myself as a dead
man. And yet I had been dead to all of them for more than two years.

"And of Humphrey Salkeld, only son of the above Richard Salkeld and his
wife Barbara, who was drowned at Scarborough, October, 1578, to the
great grief and sorrow of his uncle, Thurstan Salkeld, Knight."

* * * * *

"So I am dead and yet alive," I said, and laughed gayly at the notion.
"If that is so, there are some great surprises in store for more than
one in this parish. And no one will be more surprised than my worthy
cousin, but he will be the only person that is sorry to see me. Oh, for
half an hour with him alone!"

At that very moment Jasper was coming to meet me. I knew it not, nor did
he.

Between the churchyard and the manor-house of Beechcot there is a field
called the Duke's Garth, and across this runs a foot-path. As I turned
away from reading my own epitaph, I saw a figure advancing along this
path and making for the churchyard. It was the figure of a man, and he
was singing some catch or song softly to himself. I recognized the
voice at once. It was Jasper's. I drew back into the shadow cast by the
buttress of the chancel and waited his coming. We were going to settle
our account once and forever.

He came lightly over the stile which separates the garth from the
churchyard, and was making rapid strides towards the vicarage when I
stopped him.

"Jasper," I said, speaking in a deep voice and concealing myself in the
shadow. "Jasper Stapleton."

He stopped instantly, and stood looking intently towards where I stood.

"Who calls me?" he said.

"I, Jasper,--thy cousin, Humphrey Salkeld."

I could have sworn that he started and began to tremble. But suddenly he
laughed.

"Dead men call nobody," said he. "You are some fool that is trying to
frighten me. Come out, sirrah!"

And he drew near. I waited till he was close by, and then I stepped into
the moonlight, which fell full and clear on my face. He gave a great
cry, and lifting up his arm as if to war