The String of Pearls (1850), p. 302

"Upon my word, Sir Richard," said the secretary, "you are quite a free-thinker—indeed you are."
Suddenly the whole party paused, for something resembling a moan was heard from among the pews in the centre of the church, and every one was anxious to
listen for a repetition of the sound.
"Did you hear it?" whispered the secretary.
"In faith, I did," said Mr. Donkin.
"And I," said Sir Richard Blunt.
"And we," said the Lord Mayor, in defiance of grammar. "I—I—feel rather unwell, gentlemen, do you know."
"Hush! let us listen," said the secretary.
"They all stood profoundly still for a few minutes, and then, just as they were one and all beginning to think that after all it must be a mere thing of fancy, the
same mournful moan came once more upon their ears.
"There can be no mistake, ' said Sir Richard. "We all hear that; is it not so, gentlemen ?"
"Yes—yes!" said everybody.
"I'm getting worser," said the Lord Mayor.
"This mystery must be cleared up," said the secretary. "Is it a trick upon us, do you think, Sir Richard?"
"No, my lord, certainly not."
"Then we cannot go on until this is cleared up. You are armed, of course, Sir Richard?"
"Yes, my lord."
Sir Richard Blunt took from his pocket a double-barrelled pistol. There was now a sort of pause, as though each of those present expected the others to say or to do something which should have the effect of discovering what the singular noise portended. Of course, Sir Richard Blunt felt that in such an emergency
he would be the man naturally looked to.
"It is absolutely necessary," he said, "that we should find out what this means before proceeding farther."
"Yes, yes," said the Lord Mayor, "no doubt of it; and in the meantime I'll run to the Mansion House and get some assistance, gentlemen."
"Oh, no, my lord—oh, no," said the secretary to the chief magistrate of the city. "We cannot think of sparing you."
"But—but—"
"Certainly not," said Sir Richard Blunt, who was keenly alive to the tone of irony in which the secretary spoke. "Certainly not; and as 1 fancy the sound which has excited our curiosity comes from about the centre of the pews, you and I, my lord, will go and find out who it is. Come, if you please, at once."
"I—I—" stammered the Lord Mayor, " I really—humph! If I felt quite well, do you know, Sir Richard, I should not hesitate a moment."
"Pho! pho!" said Sir Richard, taking his arm, and leading him unwillingly forward. "Remember that the eyes of those are upon you whose opinions are to
you of importance."
With a groan the unfortunate Lord Mayor, who from the first had shrunk from the enterprise altogether, being fearful that it might possibly involve dangerous consequences, allowed himself to be dragged by Sir Richard Blunt in the direction of the pews.
"If you have a pistol," said the magistrate, " you had better keep it in your hand ready for service."
"Lord bless you," said the Lord Mayor, in a nervous whisper, "I never fired off a pistol in all my life."
"Is that possible?"
"I don't know about being possible, but it's true."
"Well, you do surprise me."
"So—so you see, Sir Richard," added his temporary lordship, suddenly