and finished their debauch by the
destruction of everything around them.

But while these scenes of brutal riot were occurring there was one
select but resolute band who shared in none of these excesses. Morley,
followed by half a dozen Mowbray lads and two chosen Hell-cats, leaving
all the confusion below, had ascended the great staircase, traced
his way down a corridor to the winding steps of the Round Tower, and
supplied with the necessary instruments had forced his entrance into the
muniment room of the castle. It was a circular chamber lined with tall
fire-proof cases. These might have presented invincible obstacles to any
other than the pupils of Bishop Hatton; as it was, in some instances
the locks in others the hinges yielded in time, though after prolonged
efforts, to the resources of their art; and while Dandy Mick and his
friends kept watch at the entrance, Morley and Devilsdust proceeded to
examine the contents of the cases: piles of parchment deeds, bundles of
papers arranged and docketed, many boxes of various size and materials:
but the desired object was not visible. A baffled expression came over
the face of Morley; he paused for an instant in his labours. The thought
of how much he had sacrificed for this, and only to fail, came upon
him--upon him, the votary of Moral Power in the midst of havoc which he
had organised and stimulated. He cursed Baptist Hatton in his heart.

"The knaves have destroyed them," said Devilsdust. "I thought how it
would be. They never would run the chance of a son of Labour being lord
of all this."

Some of the cases were very deep, and they had hitherto in general, in
order to save time, proved their contents with an iron rod. Now Morley
with a desperate air mounting on some steps that were in the room,
commenced formally rifling the cases and throwing their contents on the
floor; it was soon strewn with deeds and papers and boxes which he and
Devilsdust the moment they had glanced at them hurled away. At length
when all hope seemed to have vanished, clearing a case which at first
appeared only to contain papers, Morley struck something at its back;
he sprang forward with outstretched arm, his body was half hid in the
cabinet, and he pulled out with triumphant exultation the box, painted
blue and blazoned with the arms of Valence. It was neither large nor
heavy; he held it out to Devilsdust without saying a word, and Morley
descending the steps sate down for a moment on a