“Why, so I think,” rejoined Gatford; “but I suppose they consider self-preservation their first duty.  They aver that all assemblages, whether called together for religious purposes or not, are dangerous, and likely to extend the pestilence.”

“And yet crowds are permitted to assemble for purposes of amusement, if not for worship, in those holy walls,” returned Leonard.

“Not so,” replied Gatford.  “Very few persons now come there, and none for amusement.  Paul’s Walk is completely deserted.  The shops and stalls have been removed, and the pillars to which they were attached are restored to their former appearance.”

“I am glad to hear it,” rejoined Leonard.  “I would far rather the sacred edifice were altogether abandoned than be what it has been of late—­a den of thieves.”

“It was a stable and a magazine of arms in the time of the Commonwealth,” remarked Gatford.

“And if Solomon Eagle’s foreboding come to pass, it will be a heap of ruins in our own time,” rejoined Turgis.  “But I see the prophet of ill has quitted his post, and retired to his hiding-place.”

Looking up as this was said, Leonard saw that the enthusiast had disappeared.  At this moment the great door of the cathedral was thrown open, and, quitting the masons, he ascended the broad steps under the portico, and entered the fane, where he found that the information he had received was correct, and that the stalls and other disfigurements to the pillars had been removed.  After pacing the solitary aisles for some time, he made inquiries from the verger concerning Solomon Eagle.

“I know nothing about him,” replied the man, reluctantly.  “I believe he always appears at daybreak on some part of the roof, but I am as ignorant as yourself where he hides himself.  The door of the winding staircase leading to the central tower is open.  You can ascend it, and search for him, if you think proper.”

Acting upon the suggestion, Leonard mounted to the belfry, and from thence to the summit of the tower.  Having indulged himself with a brief survey of the glorious view around, he descended, and glanced into every cell and chamber as he passed, in the hopes of meeting with the enthusiast, but he was disappointed.  At length, as he got about half-way down, he felt his arm forcibly grasped, and, instantly conjecturing who it was, offered no resistance.  Without uttering a word, the person who had seized him dragged him up a few steps, pushed aside a secret door, which closed behind them with a hollow clangour, and leading him along a dark narrow passage, opened another door, and they emerged upon the roof.  He then found that his suspicion was correct, and that his mysterious guide was no other than Solomon Eagle.

“I am glad to find you have recovered from the pestilence,” said the enthusiast, regarding him with a friendly glance; “it proves you are favoured by Heaven.  I saw you in the open space before the cathedral this morning, and instantly recognised you.  I was in the belfry when you descended, but you did not perceive me, and I wished to be certain you were alone before I discovered myself.”