Rookwood

u are ve

not well afte

ts.--Oh

er have li

ft doth he practise

d han

ss of

e, intimating his intention of departing. But receiving no answer, and remarking no signs of life about his grandson, he began to be

melancholy fashion," said the sexton; "but come, I have waste

e," sigh

ow-at least, if you take on thus. I never calculated upon a scene like this, or it had been long ere I

within these accursed walls. I will bear her hence myself." And

s crazed with grief, and all about a mother who has been four-and-t

n Peter lifted the body, the ligaments connecting the hand with the arm were suddenly snapped asunder. It would appear afterwards, that this joint had been tampered with, and partially dislocated. Without, however, entering into further particulars in this place, it may be sufficient to observe that the hand, detached from the socket at the wrist, remained with

he body? Why have you left

xton, suspending his occupation. "I have just made fast th

Luke, staring at

case of Bow-legged Ben, who was hanged in irons for murder, on Hardchase Heath, on the York Road, and whose hand was cut off at the wrist the first night to make a H

ND OF

that hangs on t

s corse it n

right hand

d that the de

hat clings to t

eins must bl

y fingers wh

inding-she

mystic cou

overnors o

then vessel

agon-wort e

m in the n

marrow me

lesh is pa

-ensilver

polluted

n their ch

n's Awful C

s fat must t

it beneath the

d of Lapla

e twisted of ha

her brood on the

terrible lig

leeper may t

ids shall he

hat magical

easures sha

e charm of the

t's gall let hi

-owl's venomou

ding his mother's hand towards

gher the light. Ha! that is strang

laughter. "Ha! ha! ha! 'tis a wedding-ring! And look! the finger is bent. It must ha

n life. The tendons are pulled down so tightly, that the

hat coffin cont

m that this car

hers. Can any

arm by accident within this moment. I noticed

that she was wedd

or your own sake

establish the fact of this marriage,

I appointed this midnight interview, I had a secret to communicate.

wn to you durin

I was sworn

ve proo

nd Sir Piers's word-

the ceremon

erwards abjured it, at that time professed the Catholic faith, and this Checkley officiated as his confessor and c

still

was too feeble a character to take much share. But though too weak to guide, he was a pliant instrument, and this Checkley knew. He moulded him according to his wishes. I c

eward--" g

religious opinion-the worst of differences that can exist between husband and wife-. Checkley vowed her destruction, and he kept his vow. He was enamored of her beauty. But

Luke, grindi

alth. I will not waste words in describing the catastrophe that awaited her union. It will be enough to say, she was found one morning a corpse within her bed. Whatever

laimed Luke, in a tone

before you, and if you would arrive at honor you must pursue it steadily, turning neither to the right nor to the left. Opposition you will meet at each step. But fresh lig

oan followed the conclusion of the sexton's discourse. It was evident that it proceeded not from his grandson, as an exclamation burst from h

ween us?" h

from the coffin-lid with an agility tha

my gun. Its flas

oined Peter. "But no

ried Luke. And he

save the warrior figure, which was seen for a moment, and then vanished

rushed to the door, and thrown it wide open. "Mo

t something," said Luke;

ck, and spade, and the lantern; they are behind you

, and leav

u half I know concerning that mystic statue. It is sa

y ear alone, I will not shrink from it, though the dead themselves should arise to proclaim the mystery

ling. As the pale moonlight fell upon his gaunt and cadaverous visage, he looked like some unholy thing suddenly annihilated by the presiding influence of that sacred spot. Mole crouche

st the door?" inq

is the

u seen?" he n

aised his eyes. A ray of moonlight, streaming obliquely through the painted window, fell upon the gilt lettering of

Reginaldi Rookwo

e trembled, he knew not why,

; he defied and set at naught all human laws and obligations-and yet he was religious, or esteemed so-received the viaticum, and died full of years and honors, hugging salvation to his sinful heart. And after death he has yon lying epitaph to record his virtues. His virtues! ha, ha! Ask him who preaches to the kneeling throng gathering within this holy place what shall be the murderer's portion-and he will answer-Death! An

isles with hasty steps. Peter was not slow to follow. The key was applied, and they emerged into the churchyard. The grassy mounds were bathed in the moon

uke's countenance, but he fancied it might p

aybreak," said Luke. And turning an angle

shaken to dust, and when my long-delayed vengeance will be gratified. In that hope I am content to drag on the brief remnant of my days. Meanwhile, I must not omit the stimulant. In a short

ARRIO

Crow is a

e dead from

e ground like

iding his st

! C

Crow hath a

k like a pries

e grubbeth-no m

offal, the ri

the Carr

in the gro

Crow hath

ckings he cram

the gibbet it p

r hang too

! C

ow smelleth po

scheweth the tas

ime, hath more

he lighteth, h

the Carr

in the gro

whistling to his dog, the s

emerged from among the tombs surrounding the church; gazed after him for a few seconds, an