Part 18 (1/2)

His son, now come to the years of manhood, always declared that his father would not have been absent froly; and he firmly believed that he had met with a violent death More than this he would not say; but sometimes when he looked towards Monsieur Baptiste Lacoanist of the church,--his eyes were observed to flash rand _fete_ in the church, and great preparation was an needed repairs, it was decided to repair it thoroughly; and one of the builders from Bordeaux was sent for

He was to come on Thursday; but he chanced to arrive the day before, and was to begin work early the following liallery of the church

Two days passed The repairing of the organ went on; but there was ht take a week One afternoon, as Francois passed through the centre of the village, two men came hurriedly out of the town-house, and hastened away towards the church It was the organ-builder, veryanist, followed the A feorshi+ppers were at the great altar, and the sacred edifice seean-builder seeitated to answer the questions that the town official asked hian-loft ”Put your foot on that pedal!” he said excitedly, pointing to a particular one of the scale

The official was too bewildered to comply, and Francois did it for him

”Now try the next one!” said he

Francois did so, but no sound ca and rebounding

”It does not sound,” said the organ-builder ”Follow me and I will show you why”

”It never has sounded since the great trial-day, years ago,”

man But he followed on

They clambered up a rickety staircase, a still more rickety ladder, and caan; and all around theht beloere the open pipes Passing hurriedly around, on a narrow plank, to the back of the organ, their agitated guide paused before a row of i his own eyes to look, he held the light that he carried for the others

Both looked down into the cavernous tube that he indicated, and both started back in surprise and fear

”It is a htened town official

After the first et back their wits; and the youngmen and lift out the pipe

[Illustration: ”HERE IS AN ODD TREASURE”]

This seemed sensible, and in a half-hour the men were at hand and the pipe was dran to the level of the organ-loft and laid horizontally The workmen had been informed of the nature of their work, and all were under intense excite, and the body was at least five feet fro a hook at the end, and the next anist, Baptiste Lacombe

There was a pause of silent horror nobody cared particularly for the dead man, but the manner of his death was terrible

”How did it happen?” whispered one

”Perhaps it was suicide,” answered another

They began ot, who, although thus far cooler than the others, now seemed unable to stand, pointed to the hand of the dead htly clenched upon a small cord One of the workmen approached, and with some difficulty drew out the line: and a new thrill of expectation went through the silent company when they saw, attached to the end of the line, an old leather bundle covered with dust

Young Tegot now see the work tenderly out into a more convenient position, he said sole rong, and now I shall know”

Then he exath took from his pocket a knife and carefully cut open one side