y speak for some minutes--moreover
the horror of the thing was very great--and seeing him so grave, their
terrors were increased, though there was a kind of miserable joy in
their minds that some one, and he a man of high repute, should suffer
with them.

Then Father Thomas, after a pause--they were now in the parlour--said,
speaking very slowly, that they were in a sore affliction of Satan,
and that they must withstand him with a good courage--"and look you,"
he added, turning with a great sternness to the three, "if there be
any mortal sin upon your hearts, see that you confess it and be
shriven speedily--for while such a thing lies upon the heart, so long
hath Satan power to hurt--otherwise have no fear at all."

Then Father Thomas slipped out to the garden, and hearing the bell
pulled for vespers, he went to the church, and the three would go with
him, because they would not be left alone. So they went together; by
this time the street was fuller, and the servant-maid had told tales,
so that there was much talk in the place about what was going forward.
None spoke with them as they went, but at every corner you might see
one check another in talk, and a silence fall upon a group, so that
they knew that their terrors were on every tongue. There was but a
handful of worshippers in the church, which was dark, save for the
light on Father Thomas' book. He read the holy service swiftly and
courageously, but his face was very pale and grave in the light of the
candle. When the vespers were over, and he had put off his robe, he
said that he would go back to his house, and gather what he needed for
the night, and that they should wait for him at the churchyard gate.
So he strode off to his vicarage. But as he shut to the door, he saw a
dark figure come running up the garden; he waited with a fear in his
mind, but in a moment he saw that it was Henry, who came up
breathless, and said that he must speak with the Father alone. Father
Thomas knew that somewhat dark was to be told him. So he led Henry
into the parlour and seated himself, and said, "Now, my son, speak
boldly." So there was an instant's silence, and Henry slipped on to
his knees.

Then in a moment Henry with a sob began to tell his tale. He said
that on the day of the wreck his father had roused him very early in
the dawn, and had told him to put on his clothes and come silently,
for he thought there was a wreck ashore. His father carried a spade in
his hand,