“Dunno, sir. I come to see,” replied the sexton. “I thowt I heerd bell tolling, and I got up and as there seems to be some’at the matter I comed.”
“Then, you did not go into the belfry to ring the alarm,” cried the doctor.
“Nay, I ben abed and asleep till the noise wackened me.”
“It is very strange,” said the rector. “Ah, here is Mr Macey. Have the goodness to open the door; and, Mr Rounds, will you keep watch over the windows to see if any one escapes. This must be some trick.”
As the door was opened the rector turned to his pupils.
“Surely, young gentlemen,” he said in a whisper, “you have not been guilty of any prank.”
They all indignantly disclaimed participation, and the rector led the way into the great silent tower, where he paused.
“I’m afraid I must leave the search to younger men,” he said. “That winding staircase will be too much for me.”
Previously all had hung back out of respect to the rector, but at this a rush was made for the belfry, the rectory pupils leading, and quite a crowd filling the chamber where the ropes hung perfectly still.
“Nobody here, sir,” shouted Distin, down the staircase.