“This adventure belongs,” said he, “to me only; that is plain—bring the lamp forward.”
Oswald repeated the paternoster, in which they all joined, and then entered the closet.
The first thing that presented itself to their view, was a complete suit of armour, that seemed to have fallen down on an heap.
“Behold!” said Edmund; “this made the noise we heard above.” They took it up, and examined it piece by piece; the inside of the breast plate was stained with blood.
“See here!” said Edmund; “what think you of this?”
“‘Tis my Lord’s armour,” said Joseph; “I know it well—here has been bloody work in this closet!”
Going forward, he stumbled over something; it was a ring with the arms of Lovel engraved upon it.
“This is my Lord’s ring,” said Joseph; “I have seen him wear it; I give it to you, sir, as the right owner; and most religiously do I believe you his son.”
“Heaven only knows that,” said Edmund; “and, if it permits, I will know who was my father before I am a day older.”
While he was speaking, he shifted his ground, and perceived that the boards rose up on the other side of the closet; upon farther examination they found that the whole floor was loose, and a table that stood over them concealed the circumstance from a casual observer.