They then peeped into the scullery adjoining, and were about to retrace their steps, when Rainbird plucked Leonard's sleeve to call attention to a gleam of light issuing from a door which stood partly ajar, in a long narrow passage leading apparently to the cellars.
"They are there," he said, in a whisper.
"So I see," replied Leonard, in the same tone.

And raising his finger to his lips in token of silence, he stole forward on the points of his feet and cautiously opened the door.
At the further end of the cellar--for such it was--knelt Chowles, examining with greedy eyes the contents of a large chest, which, from the hasty glance that Leonard caught of it, appeared to be filled with gold and silver plate.

A link stuck against the wall threw a strong light over the scene, and showed that the coffin-maker was alone.

As Leonard advanced, the sound of his footsteps caught Chowles's ear, and uttering a cry of surprise and alarm, he let fall the lid of the chest, and sprang to his feet.
"What do you want ?" he cried, looking uneasily round, as if in search of some weapon.

"Are you come to rob me ?" "No," replied Leonard; "neither are we come to reclaim the plunder you have taken from others.