when they put in the heating apparatus. I saw it there, and the sexton
gave it to me when he discovered that it was only stone. You will see
it has a hole in it, so he must have worn it as an ornament. The grave
he lay in was that of a Crusader, for the legs are crossed upon his
brass, although his name has gone. Oh! here it is," and he produced an
oblong piece of black graphite or some such stone, covered with
mystical engravings.

She seized the object, and examined it eagerly.

"Why, it is a talisman," she said, "Gnostic, I should think, for there
is the cock upon it, and a lot that I can't read, probably a magic
formula. No doubt the old Crusader got it in the East, perhaps as a
gift from some Saracen in whose family it had descended. Oh! my dear
boy, I do thank you. You could not have made me a present that I
should value more."

"I am so glad," said Godfrey.

"Yes, but I am ashamed to take it from you. Well, I'll leave it back
to you one day."

"Leave it back! Then you must die before me, and why should you do
that? You are quite young."

"Because I shall," she answered with a sad little smile. "I look
stronger than I am. Meanwhile you will come and tell me all about this
talisman."

"I have told you all I know, Miss Ogilvy."