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 explanation;—a sudden simultaneous shout, but not of joy, something of dismay and horror seemed to breathe in the sound.

Walter looked at the Curate;—an impulse—a sudden instinct—seemed to attract them involuntarily to the spot whence that sound arose;—they quickened their pace—they made their way through the throng. A deep chest, that had been violently forced, stood before them: its contents had been dragged to day, and now lay on the sward—a bleached and mouldering skeleton! Several of the bones were loose and detached from the body. A general hubbub of voices from the spectators,—inquiry—guess—fear—wonder—rang confusedly round.

"Yes!" said one old man, with grey hair, leaning on a pick-axe; "it is now about fourteen years since the Jew pedlar disappeared;—these are probably his bones—he was supposed to have been murdered!"

"Nay!" screeched a woman, drawing back a child who, all unalarmed, was about to touch the