Page:Headlong Hall - Peacock (1816).djvu/139

 guage of Mr. Escot not being to his apprehension quite so luminous as his own.

"You have been sexton here," continued Mr. Escot, in the language of Hamlet, "man and boy, forty years."

The Sexton turned pale. The period Mr. Escot named. was so nearly the true one, that he began to suspect the personage before him of being rather too familiar with Hugh Llwyd's sable visitor. Recovering himself a little, he said: "Why, thereapouts, sure enough."

"During this period, you have of course dug up many bones of the people of ancient times."

"Pones! Cot pless you, yes! pones as old as the 'orlt."

"Perhaps you can show me a few."

The Sexton grinned horribly a ghastly smile. "Will you take your Pible oath you ton't want them to raise the tevil with?"