Hawbury now got into the coffin and lay down on his back at full length. The priest had brought some bits of wood with him, and these he put on the edge of the coffin in such a way that the lid would be kept off at a distance of about a quarter of an inch. Through this opening Hawbury could have all the air that was requisite for breathing.
Then Ethel assisted the priest to lift the lid on.
Thus far all had been quiet; but now a slight noise was heard below. Some men were moving. Ethel was distracted with anxiety, but the priest was as cool as a clock. He whispered to her to go back to the room where she belonged.
"Will you be able to finish it?" she asked.
"Sure an' I will—only don't you be afther stayin' here any longer."
At this Ethel stole back to Minnie's room, and stood listening with a quick-beating heart.
But the priest worked coolly and dextrously. He felt for the holes to which the screws belonged, and succeeded in putting in two of them.
Then there was a noise in the hall below.
The priest began to put in the third screw.
There were footsteps on the stairs.