Cruel As The Grave

If charnel-houses and our graves must send

Those that we bury back, our monuments

Shall be the maws of kites.--SHAKESPEARE.

"Well?" exclaimed Mr. Berners, eagerly.

"Well, the flight is now discovered beyond all doubt. Search-warrants

have been issued. My house is to be searched among the rest," replied

Captain Pendleton.

"What else?"

"Arrangements are being made for the funeral of the dead woman. They

will bury her the day after to-morrow in the church-yard at Blackville."

"And what else?"

"Nothing, but that I would not permit Joe to accompany me to-night. More

precaution is now necessary to insure your safety."

"And that is all?"

"Yes."

"Then come in and see Sybil."

They went in together, where Mrs. Berners greeted Captain Pendleton with

her usual courtesy, and then immediately repeated her anxious questions.

"Has the murderer been discovered? May we go home?"

"Not yet, dear Madam!" answered Pendleton to both questions, as he sat

down by the fire.

"I have something to tell you, Pendleton, and to ask your advice about,"

began Lyon Berners. And he related the mysterious vision that had thrice

crossed their path.

"Oh! it is a form of flesh and blood! We don't believe in apparitions at

this age of the world! But this indeed must be looked to! If you have

seen her here three times, of course she has seen you," said Captain

Pendleton in much anxiety.

"Most certainly she knows of our presence here, if she knows nothing

else about us," replied Mr. Berners.

"Then it is useless to attempt to conceal yourselves from her. She must

be laid hold of, talked with, and won or bribed to keep our secret--to

help us if possible. We must find out whether she will serve our

purpose. If she will, it will be all quite right, and you may remain

here until it is safe to depart; but if she will not, it will be all

entirely wrong, and you must leave this place at all hazards," concluded

Captain Pendleton.

"Yes, it is very well for you to talk of intercepting her, but you had

just as well try to intercept a shadow as it glides past you," put in

Sybil, with a wise nod.

"The attempt shall be made, at all events," determined Mr. Berners.

Sybil was in the act of putting the supper--not on the table, for table

there was none in the chapel--but on the cloth spread upon the

flagstones, when Captain Pendleton, to give a lighter turn to their

talk, said: "You may put a plate for me also, Mrs. Berners! I have not yet supped,

and I'm glad I have got here in time to join you."

"I am glad too! We are getting quite comfortably to housekeeping here,

Captain. And Lyon has set his traps, and we shall soon have game to

offer you when you come to visit us," replied Sybil quickly, responding

to his gayety.