ere," he growled.

"Look here, Jem," said the sergeant; "don't leave a fellow in the lurch.
Come on."

Thus adjured, the man turned back and held out his hand.

"It ain't my work," he said in a hoarse whisper; "I've done my bit. But
I'll hold the light for you, if you like."

The sergeant passed the lantern to his companion, who took it, and so
reversed its position, the rays from the bull's-eye being directed
toward the sergeant, and, consequently, Stratton and Guest were in the
shadow, out of which the latter peered forward with his heart beating
violently, and as he leaned forward he touched Stratton's arm.

He shuddered and shrank back, being conscious that Stratton grasped the
reason, for a low sigh escaped him; but he did not stir, and, in spite
of his feeling of repulsion, Guest felt compelled to press forward again
to witness the horror about to be unveiled.

"Turn the light more down," whispered the sergeant; and, in spite of the
low tone in which they were uttered, the words sounded loudly in Guest's
ears.

"Now for it," muttered the officer; and, as if forcing himself to act,
he flung up the bath lid so that it struck against the panelled side of
the place with a sharp rap, and set free a quantity of loose plaster and
brickwork to fall behind the wainscot with a peculiar, rustling sound
that sent a shudder through the lookers-on.

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.

THE BLIND LEAD.

As that horrible, rustling sound behind the wainscot was heard, the two
hardened men in the old passage shrank away to door and end, while a
cold sweat bedewed Guest's face, and his breath felt laboured. Then
there was a reaction. Old memories flashed through his brain, and he
seized Stratton's arm.

"Old friends," he muttered. "I can't forsake him now."

The arm he gripped felt rigid and cold, but Stratton made no movement,
no sign, and at that moment they saw the sergeant flash the light down
into the sarcophagus-like receptacle; for, thanks to the manufacturers,
our baths are made as suggestive of a man's last resting-place as they
can be designed.

There was utter silence then for a moment. Then the sergeant uttered a
low whistle and exclaimed:

"Well, I _am_ blessed!"

"Ain't he there?" said the workman, from the door.

"Come and look, Jem."

Jem went in slowly, looked down in the bath, which was lit up by the
rays from the lantern, and then uttered a low, chuckling sound, while
Guest tried to make out the