All thought that an end had come to the harrowing scene, and minister and people faced each other once more; when, loud and sharp from above, there rang down the shrill cry of delirium, this time in articulate words which even the children could understand: "Break it open, I say! break it open, and see if her heart is there!" It was too awful.

Men and women and children leaped to their feet and dashed away into the streets, uttering smothered cries and wild ejaculations.

In vain the clergyman raised his voice and bade them respect the dead; the rooms were well-nigh empty before he had finished his appeal.

Only the very old uncle and the least of the children remained of all who had come there in memory of their departed kinswoman and friend.
The little one had fled to the old man's arms before he could rise, and was now held close to his aged and shaking knees, while he strove to comfort her and explain.
Soon these, too, were gone, and the casket was refastened and carried out by the shrinking bearers, leaving in those darkened rooms a trail of desolation which was only broken from time to time by the now faint and barely heard reiteration of the name of her who had just been borne away! "Lila! Lila!" XIII "WHAT WE WANT IS HERE" I'll tell you, by the way, The greatest comfort in the world.
You said There was a clew to all.
Remember, Sweet, He said there was a clew! I hold it.
Come! _A Blot in the 'Scutcheon._ Sweetwater, however affected by this scene, had not lost control of himself or forgotten the claims of duty.

He noted at a glance that, while the candid looking stranger, whose lead he had been following, was as much surprised as the rest at the nature of the interruption--which he had possibly anticipated and for which he was in some measure prepared--he was, of all present, the most deeply and peculiarly impressed by it.