d whatever that morrow
may bring forth, it will bring happiness to me, if you are bearer of the
tidings."

"I shall expect your coming with impatience," said Mrs. Mowbray.

"And I," added Major Mowbray, who had listened thus far in silence,
"would offer you my services in any way you think they would be useful.
Command me as you think fitting."

"I thank you heartily," returned Ranulph. "To-morrow you shall learn
all. Meanwhile, it shall be my business to investigate the truth or
falsehood of the statement I have heard, ere I report it to you. Till
then, farewell."

As they issued from the church it was gray dawn. Mrs. Mowbray's carriage
stood at the door. The party entered it; and accompanied by Dr. Small,
whom he found within in the vestry, Ranulph walked towards the hall,
where a fresh surprise awaited him.

_CHAPTER V_

_THE CAPTIVE_

_Black Will._ Which is the place where we're to be concealed?

_Green._ This inner room.

_Black Will._ 'Tis well. The word is, "Now I take you."

_Arden of Feversham._

Guarded by the two young farmers who had displayed so much address in
seizing him, Luke, meanwhile, had been conveyed in safety to the small
chamber in the eastern wing, destined by Mr. Coates to be his place of
confinement for the night. The room, or rather closet, opening from
another room, was extremely well adapted for the purpose, having no
perceptible outlet; being defended, on either side, by thick partition
walls of the hardest oak, and at the extremity by the solid masonry of
the mansion. It was, in fact, a remnant of the building anterior to the
first Sir Ranulph's day; and the narrow limits of Luke's cell had been
erected long before the date of his earliest progenitor. Having seen
their prisoner safely bestowed, the room was carefully examined, every
board sounded, every crevice and corner peered into by the curious eye
of the little lawyer; and nothing being found insecure, the light was
removed, the door locked, the rustic constables dismissed, and a brace
of pistols having been loaded and laid on the table, Mr. Coates
pronounced himself thoroughly satisfied and quite comfortable.

Comfortable! Titus heaved a sigh as he echoed the word. He felt anything
but comfortable. His heart was with the body all the while. He thought
of the splendor of the funeral, the torches, the illumined church, his
own dignified march down