“Only to Mary,” said our heroine, earnestly. “I will be responsible for her circumspection.”
“Certainly,” returned Percy. “You shall not go without your trusty attendant. But you will caution her in advance.”
The girl promised that she would exercise all possible caution, and shortly thereafter the young man took his leave.
The morning of the following day dawned clear and bright, and by the time the sun was two hours high the party was ready for the excursion to the old chapel.
By previous arrangement Percy had brought his old fowling-piece with him; and the earl likewise took one, thus giving to the inquiring servants the impression that they were going out simply for shooting.
Cordelia often accompanied her old guardian on his woodland rambles, gun or no gun; and more than once Percy Maitland had been called to go with them; so the arrangement of the party caused no surprise.
On referring to his watch, when they had reached their destination, the guide found it to be only a few minutes past eight o’clock. They were in good season, and he felt very confident that they had nothing to fear from other parties in the cavern.
Cordelia was in a flutter of excitement as they approached the altar. Percy first pointed out to them the peculiarities of the huge stone.
He found his wooden probe which he had fashioned on the previous day, and with the aid of that he very soon explained the various points, the discovery of which had led him to the grand discovery of all.
This done, he went to the right-hand end of the block, and laid his two strong hands fairly on its upper edge.