How did you escape thence ?" Leonard hastily explained.
"I told you I should never forget the service you rendered me in preserving the life of poor Bell," pursued Nizza, "and what I have done will prove I am not unmindful of my promise I saw you search the cathedral last night with Judith, and noticed that she returned from the tower unaccompanied by you.

At first I supposed you might have left the cathedral without my observing you, and I was further confirmed in the idea by what I subsequently heard." "Indeed!" exclaimed Leonard.

"What did you hear ?" "I followed Judith to the vaults of Saint Faith's," replied Nizza, "and heard her inform your companions that you had found the grocer's daughter, and had taken her away." "And this false statement imposed upon them ?" cried Leonard.
"It did," replied Nizza.

"They were by this time more than half intoxicated by the brandy given them by Chowles, the coffin-maker, and they departed in high dudgeon with you." "No wonder!" exclaimed Leonard.
"They had scarcely been gone many minutes," pursued Nizza, "when, having stationed myself behind one of the massive pillars in the north aisle of Saint Faith's--for I suspected something was wrong--I observed Judith and Chowles steal across the nave, and proceed towards the vestry.

The former tapped at the door, and they were instantly admitted by Mr.
Quatremain, the minor canon.