"I met that man," continued the body-snatcher, pointing contemptuously towards Markham, "a little more than a fortnight ago in this neighbourhood: he was walking with your daughter; and it was in consequence of certain little arrangements with me that he went back to London next day. Oh! I am well acquainted with all his movements." "And you sought my life in a manner the most base----" began Markham, unable to restrain his feelings. "Silence, Markham!" exclaimed the count, still more authoritatively than before. "Your time to speak will come." "We planned this work while he was in London," continued the Resurrection Man; "and this very evening he told me over the garden wall that all was right." "Merciful God!" cried the count: "this is but too true!" "Yes, sir--I certainly spoke to him," said Richard,--"and from the garden too----" "Mr. Markham, this continued interruption is indecent," exclaimed the count emphatically, while a cold perspiration burst out upon his forehead; for he had recalled to mind the incident respecting the garden. "I have little more to add, count," said the Resurrection Man. "This Markham told me that you had plenty of plate and money always in the house; and as he had lost nearly all his property, he should not be displeased at an opportunity of getting hold of a little swag. It was agreed that we should meet in London to arrange the business; and so we did meet at the _Dark House_ in Brick Lane, where we settled the affair along with the Cracksman and the Buffer, who have just made off. This is all I have to say--unless it is that me and your friend Markham first got acquainted in Newgate----" "Newgate!" ejaculated the count, with a thrill of horror. "Yes--Newgate; where he was waiting to be tried for forgery, for which he got two years in the Compter. And that's all. Let him deny it if he can." Scarcely were these terrible words uttered by the Resurrection Man, when a loud--long--and piercing scream was heard, coming from the direction of the staircase; and then some object instantly fell with violence upon the marble floor of the hall. "Isabella! Isabella!" ejaculated Markham, turning hastily round to hurry to her assistance. "Stop, sir--seek not my daughter," cried the count, in a stern voice, as he caught Richard's arm and held him back. "Let not a soul stir until my return!" There was a noble and dignified air of command about Count Alteroni, as he uttered these words, which could not escape the notice of Richard Markham, even amidst the crushing and overwhelming circumstances that surrounded him. [Illustration] The count took the candle from Markham's hand, and hastened to the aid of his daughter, who, half-dressed, was lying upon the cold marble of the hall. He hastened to raise her; and at that moment the countess appeared upon the stairs, followed by a lady's-maid bearing a lamp.