"I should not think that would be permitted," replied Lincoln.
"Nor I; but it is. The great fire burned out the interior of this church, destroying the altar and organ, and even melting the bells. The building was repaired by subscription. A baker, who had accumulated about twelve thousand dollars in his business, having no near relatives, gave his little fortune for the purchase of another organ, and his wishes were carried out after his death."
A man with a bundle of keys presented himself at this time, bowed, and solemnly opened the door of the cathedral. As the visitors ascended the steps, the man pointed to a rusty ring.
"What's that?" asked Lincoln.
"In ancient times offenders used to be fastened to that ring, and were compelled to do penance there," replied the doctor.
"There's nothing very fine about this," said the captain, as they entered the church.
"Certainly not. I hope you did not expect to find a cathedral like St. Peter's, or those at Antwerp and Cologne. This structure has been built upon, increased in size, and improved, several times. There is the organ which the baker gave. It has five thousand pipes—for a dollar would buy more organ pipes years ago than now. Whatever there is here in the way of ornament, including the frescoes, is the work of native artists," continued the doctor, as they walked up to the altar. "In the crypt under this altar lie the remains of Queen Christina of Sweden."
"Mr. Mapps said she was buried in St. Peter's, at Rome," interposed the captain.
"Not the celebrated Queen Christina, but the wife of St. Eric, whose remains are intombed in the cathedral of Upsala. Here is an epitaph to Katrina Mänsdotter," said the doctor, as they passed to the side of the church.
"I never heard of her before, which is not very strange," replied Lincoln.