Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (1).pdf/10

 They walked swiftly towards the house; the family were assembled at supper, and the looks of Eliza served as a preface to George's narrative.

"I have heard, (said Sir James.) stories of this nature frequently repeated; but till now I own, I never paid a serious attention to them; what has now happened, has determined me to take some active measures towards unraveling the apparent mystery."

In the morning, the Knight, with the Chaplain and George, sallied forth, a few armed domestics having proceeded them. Arrived at the Aisle, Sir James demanded of his nephew, "Are you sure that on this tomb you saw a cloak and mask; there you also saw a man kneeling near it; saw him rise and array himself in his cloak? Again I say are you sure no part of this scene was imagination?'"I am certain, (replied the youth) that I beheld all that I have stated. Could not this tomb be moved? Were we in the forests of Germany, I should be induced to think that it covers the door of some subterraneous retreat..""Aye Sir. (said Joseph, an aged domestic of the Knight's) you are in the right; to be sure it is no concern of mine, but if I was a Magistrate, this here monument should be pulled down, and dug under, and my life on it, murder lies at the bottom.""That cannot be done without the consent of the owner, (said Sir James) or some better grounds of suspicion than we have at present."Do not you own these ruins, Sir?" said George, "Not this