Perhaps his mother now occupied a poorer seat, or possibly she had grown infirm and could not reach the church alone.

He dared not think of what he feared.

A cold feeling crept over him, and he trembled violently as he turned away.

'An old man entered the porch just as he reached it.

Edmunds started back, for he knew him well; many a time he had watched him digging graves in the churchyard.