"The trough in which this colossal head had rested was about four
feet in depth, and narrowed towards the bottom. I put down my hand
and drew out--a human thigh-bone. The touch of this would have
turned me sick again, had not the statue's face already surfeited me
with horror. As it was, I was nerved for any sight. The passion of
my discovery was upon me, and I tossed the mouldering bones out to
right and left.
"But stay. There seemed a great many in the trough. Surely this was
the third thigh-bone that I held now in my hand. Yes, and below,
close to the bottom of the trough, lay two skulls side by side.
There were two, then, buried here. The parchment had only spoken of
one. But I had no time to consider about this. What I sought now
was the Secret, and as I took up the second skull I caught the gleam
of metal underneath it. I put in my hand and drew out a Buckle of
Gold.
"This buckle is formed of two pieces, bound to either end of a thin
belt of rotten linen, and united by hook and socket. Its whole
dimensions are but 3 inches by 2 inches, but inside its curiously
carved border it is entirely covered with writing in rude English
character.
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