"This is a remarkable specimen," Mr. Flowers commented. "There's nothing special about the materials, or even the craftsmanship, but this piece has history. Unless I'm mistaken, it's the same type as those used in Good Friday pageants in rural Salford for over two hundred years. There were rumors of miracles visited upon those who sought it out for healing, though I must note that none have been observed since the Salford vicarage was absorbed into that of neighboring Galway."

"How were such pageants performed?" asked Mr. Gilby, ever curious about matters of ritual.

"There's an interesting story about that, actually," replied Mr. Flowers. "Some gruesome business. Hardly for the faint of heart."