d the last resting place
of the quiet dead.

The rector, being well acquainted with the arrangements of the ground,
had no difficulty in finding the tomb he wished to enter. A plain marble
slab, upon which was sculptured the words 'Franklin Family,' denoted the
spot. It required the united strength of both the men to raise this slab
from the masonry on which it rested. This being done, they stepped into
the aperture, descended a short flight of stone steps, and found their
further progress arrested by an iron door, secured by an immense
padlock.

'It will now be necessary to light my lantern; I can do so with safety,'
said the robber. And igniting a match, he lighted a dark lantern which
he had brought with him. Dr. Sinclair then, for the first time,
distinctly beheld the features of his midnight companion; and he started
with horror--for the most diabolically hideous countenance he had ever
seen or dreamed of in his life, met his gaze. The robber observed the
impression he had made upon his employer, and grinned horribly a ghastly
smile.

'You don't like my looks, master,' said he, gruffly.

'I certainly cannot call you handsome,' replied the Doctor, trying to
smile--'but no matter--you will answer my purpose as well as a comelier
person. Let us proceed with our work; can you break or pick this
padlock?'

The robber made no reply, but drew from his pocket a bunch of skeleton
keys, with which he soon removed the padlock; and the heavy iron door
swung upon its rusty hinges with a loud creaking noise.

'D----n and blast that noise!' growled the robber.

'Silence, fellow!' cried the rector, authoritatively; 'you are standing
in the chamber of the dead, and such profanity is out of place here--no
more of it.'

This reproof was received with a very ill grace by the robber, who
glared savagely upon his reprover, and seemed almost inclined to spring
upon him and strangle him on the spot--no difficult thing for him to do,
for the Doctor was of slender build, while he himself possessed a frame
unusually muscular and powerful.

They entered the vault, and the feeble rays of the lantern shone dimly
on the damp green walls, and on the few coffins which were placed upon
shelves.

An awful odor pervaded the place, so loathsome, so laden with the
effluvia of death and corruption, that the rector hesitated, and was
more than half inclined to abandon the undertaking; but after a moment's
reflection--

'No,' he said, ment