xpectation of being able to move the ponderous lid of the
sarcophagus, at Lady Rookwood's renewed request he applied himself to
the task. What was his surprise, when, beneath their united efforts, he
found the ponderous slab slowly revolve upon its vast hinges, and, with
little further difficulty, it was completely elevated; though it still
required the exertion of all Alan's strength to prop it open, and
prevent its falling back.

"What does it contain?" asked Lady Rookwood.

"A warrior's ashes," returned Alan.

"There is a rusty dagger upon a fold of faded linen," cried Lady
Rookwood, holding down the light.

"It is the weapon with which the first dame of the house of Rookwood was
stabbed," said Alan, with a grim smile:

"Which whoso findeth in the tomb
Shall clutch until the hour of doom;
And when 'tis grasped by hand of clay,
The curse of blood shall pass away.

So saith the rhyme. Have you seen enough?"

"No," said Lady Rookwood, precipitating herself into the marble coffin.
"That weapon shall be mine."

"Come forth--come forth," cried Alan. "My arm trembles--I cannot support
the lid."

"I will have it, though I grasp it to eternity," shrieked Lady Rookwood,
vainly endeavoring to wrest away the dagger, which was fastened,
together with the linen upon which it lay, by some adhesive substance
to the bottom of the shell.

At this moment Alan Rookwood happened to cast his eye upward, and he
then beheld what filled him with new terror. The axe of the sable statue
was poised above its head, as in the act to strike him. Some secret
machinery, it was evident, existed between the sarcophagus lid and this
mysterious image. But in the first impulse of his alarm Alan abandoned
his hold of the slab, and it sunk slowly downwards. He uttered a loud
cry as it moved. Lady Rookwood heard this cry. She raised herself at the
same moment--the dagger was in her hand--she pressed it against the lid,
but its downward force was too great to be withstood. The light was
within the sarcophagus, and Alan could discern her features. The
expression was terrible. She uttered one shriek and the lid closed for
ever.

Alan was in total darkness. The light had been enclosed with Lady
Rookwood. There was something so horrible in her probable fate, that
even _he_ shuddered as he thought upon it. Exerting all his remaining
strength, he essayed to raise the lid, but now it was more firmly closed
than ever. It defied all hi