"When shall I be strong enough to plow a field ?" he muttered between his teeth as he started below hastily.

Upon reaching the organ-loft he paused to listen; the voice of his brother was fast dying away in the distance and the cries of "Mother! Brother!" were at last completely cut off by the sound of a closing door.

Trembling and perspiring, he paused for a moment with his fist in his mouth to keep down a cry of anguish.

He let his gaze wander about the dimly lighted church where an oil-lamp gave a ghostly light, revealing the catafalque in the center.

The doors were closed and fastened, and the windows had iron bars on them.