The lad told him a gentleman, and described Stumpy.
Job at once concluded that the captain had disguised himself, and determined to obey the mysterious missive.
The night fell dark and cheerless.
Toward midnight Mr. Thaxton carefully picked his way to the old chapel, and, not without sundry shudders and quakings, took up his place behind the center pillar.
For some time the silence and awful solitude of the place was unbroken save by the whizz of the bat and the subdued screech of the owl.
Mr. Thaxton began to grow cold and shivery, and had almost decided to return to the inn when a slight noise attracted his attention and he saw a light approaching.
It was carried by a short man, whom he at once, by the aid of the light, distinguished as Job, the carrier.
Here, at least, was something tangible and corroborative of the letter.
He dared scarcely breathe, so eagerly curious was he, and he watched Job, who looked round cautiously, and at length seated himself upon the tomb and shaded his lantern.
Midnight struck in solemn, monotonous tones, and immediately there appeared a blue, misty light from among the pillars.