.

"Well," said the Colonel, "you can do as you like, but I'm going back
at once, and going down the hole, too; the gas must be out of it by
now. There are reasons," he added, "why, if this money is to be found
at all, it should be found this morning. To-day is Christmas Day, you
know."

"Yes, yes, Colonel; I knows what you mean. Bless you, I know all about
it; the old Squire must talk to somebody; if he don't he'd bust, so he
talks to me. That Cossey's coming for his answer from Miss Ida this
morning. Poor young lady, I saw her yesterday, and she looks like a
ghost, she du. Ah, he's a mean one, that Cossey. Laryer Quest warn't
in it with him after all. Well, I cooked his goose for him, and I'd
give summut to have a hand in cooking that banker chap's too. You wait
a minute, Colonel, and I'll come along, gale and ghostesses and all. I
only hope it mayn't be after a fool's arrand, that's all," and he
retired to put on his boots. Presently he appeared again, his red
nightcap still on his head, for he was afraid that the wind would blow
a hat off, and carrying an unlighted lantern in his hand.

"Now, Colonel, I'm ready, sir, if you be;" and they started.

The gale was, if anything, fiercer than ever. Indeed, there had been
no such wind in those parts for years, or rather centuries, as the
condition of the timber by ten o'clock that morning amply testified.

"This here timpest must be like that as the Squire tells us on in the
time of King Charles, as blew the top of the church tower off on a
Christmas night," shouted George. But Harold made no answer, and they
fought their way onward without speaking any more, for their voices
were almost inaudible. Once the Colonel stopped and pointed to the
sky-line. Of all the row of tall poplars which he had seen bending
like whips before the wind as he came along but one remained standing
now, and as he pointed that vanished also.

Reaching the summer house in safety, they entered, and the Colonel
shut and locked the door behind them. The frail building was literally
rocking in the fury of the storm.

"I hope the roof will hold," shouted George, but Harold took no heed.
He was thinking of other things. They lit the lanterns, of which they
now had three, and the Colonel slid down into the great grave he had
so industriously dug, motioning to George to follow. This that worthy
did, not without trepidation. Then they both knelt and stared down
through the hole in the masonry, but