ugh faint and sick with
the awful stench of that death vault, he searched about for some weapon
with which to end his miserable existence. While thus engaged, he
stumbled over a heavy iron crowbar which lay in one corner and seizing
it with a cry of joy, applied it with all his force to the door of his
loathsome prison.

It yielded--he was free! for the slab had not been replaced over the
tomb, owing to the robber's inability to raise it. Falling on his knees,
the rector thanked God for his deliverance; and ascending the steps,
stood in the burial-ground, just as the lamps in the tomb below had
become extinguished.

He was about to make his way out of the grave-yard, when he heard the
sound of approaching footsteps, and low voices; and just as he had
concealed himself behind a tall tomb-stone, he saw, through the thick
darkness, two men approach the uncovered tomb from which he emerged only
a few minutes before.

''Twas fortunate I met you, Ragged Pete,' said one; 'for without your
aid I never could have lifted this stone into its place; and if it were
left in its present position, it would attract attention in the morning,
and that cursed parson might be rescued from the tomb. Take hold, and
let's raise it on.'

'Werry good--but are you sure that the chap is down there still?'
demanded Ragged Pete; 'hadn't we better go down and see if he hasn't
took leg bait?'

'Pshaw, you fool!' rejoined the first speaker, angrily; 'how could he
escape after I had locked him in? There's an iron door, fastened with a
padlock as big as your head; so hold your tongue, and help me raise the
stone to its place.'

This was done with considerable difficulty; and the two men sat down to
rest after their labor.

'The parson won't live over night; if he is not devoured by the rats, he
is sure to be suffocated,' remarked the man who had fastened the doctor
in the tomb.

'Somehow or other,' said Ragged Pete, 'whoever offends you is sure to be
punished in some dreadful and unheard-of manner. By thunder, I must try
and keep in your good graces!'

'You will do well to do so,' rejoined his companion, 'my vengeance is
always sure to overtake those who cross my path. Pete, I have led a
strange life of crime and wickedness, from my very cradle, I may say, up
to the present time. See, the storm is over, and the stars are shining
brightly. It lacks several hours of daybreak; and as I feel somewhat
sociably inclined, suppose I tell you my stor