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The curate, having turned the corner, directed, as was his wont,

a look toward the little chapel, and there beheld what he little

expected, and would not have desired to see. At the confluence,

if we may so call it, of the two narrow lanes, there were two

men: one of them sitting astride the low wall; his companion

leaning against it, with his arms folded on his breast. The

dress, the bearing, and what the curate could distinguish of the

countenance of these men, left no doubt as to their profession.

They wore upon their heads a green network, which, falling on the

left shoulder, ended in a large tassel, from under which appeared

upon the forehead an enormous lock of hair.