When he has reached something more than a foot deep he digs more cautiously, saying that, be it much or little there, it will not lie far below the surface; such things never are deep.

A few minutes later the point of the pickaxe clicks upon a stony substance.

He draws the implement out as feelingly as if it had entered a man's body.

Taking up the spade he shovels with care, and a surface, level as an altar, is presently disclosed.

His eyes flash anew; he pulls handfuls of grass and mops the surface clean, finally rubbing it with his handkerchief.