As he said this, the door was opened by Leonard, and Chowles and Judith entered the room.  The latter, on seeing the doctor, looked greatly embarrassed.

“I have brought you the nurse I spoke of, Mr. Bloundel,” said Chowles, bowing, “and am come to inquire whether you want a coffin to-night.”

“Mr. Bloundel is not likely to require a coffin at present, Chowles,” returned the doctor, severely; “neither does his son stand in need of a nurse.  How is your husband, Mrs. Malmayns?”

“He is dead, sir,” replied Judith.

“Dead!” echoed the doctor.  “When I left him at one o’clock this morning, he was doing well.  Your attendance seems to have accelerated his end.”

“His death was occasioned by an accident, sir,” replied Judith.  “He became delirious about three o’clock, and, in spite of all my efforts to detain him, started out of bed, rushed into Saint Faith’s, and threw himself into a pit, which Mr. Lilly and some other persons had digged in search of treasure.”

“This is a highly improbable story, Mrs. Malmayns,” returned Hodges, “and I must have the matter thoroughly investigated before I lose sight of you.”

“I will vouch for the truth of Mrs. Malmayn’s statement,” interposed Chowles.

“You!” cried Hodges, contemptuously.

“Yes, I,” replied the coffin-maker.  “It seems that the sexton had found a chest of treasure buried in Saint Faith’s, and being haunted by the idea that some one was carrying it off, he suddenly sprang out of bed, and rushed to the church, where, sure enough, Mr. Lilly, Mr. Quatremain, the Earl of Rochester, and Sir George Etherege, having, by the help of mosaical rods, discovered this very chest, were digging it up.  Poor Matthew instantly plunged into the grave, and died of a sudden chill.”

“That is not impossible,” observed Hodges, after a pause.  “But what has become of the treasure?”

“It is in the possession of Mr. Quatremain, who has given notice of it to the proper authorities,” replied Chowles.  “It consists, as I understand, of gold pieces struck in the reign of Philip and Mary, images of the same metal, crosses, pyxes, chalices, and other Popish and superstitious vessels, buried, probably, when Queen Elizabeth came to the throne, and the religion changed.”

“Not unlikely,” replied Hodges.  “Where is your husband’s body, Mrs. Malmayns?”

“It has been removed to the vault which he usually occupied,” replied Judith.  “Mr. Chowles has undertaken to bury it to-night.”

“I must see it first,” replied Hodges, “and be sure that he has not met with foul play.”

“And I will accompany you,” said Chowles.  “So you do not want a coffin, Mr. Bloundel?”

The grocer shook his head.

“Good day, Mr. Bloundel,” said Hodges.  “I shall visit you to-morrow, and hope to find your son as well as I leave him.  Chowles, you will be answerable for the safe custody of Mrs. Malmayns.”