"I am a police officer," answered Benstead coolly. "But, as far as I know, we have no business with either you or your wife—since you say that this woman is your wife." "Well—so much the better," remarked the Buffer. "And I also suppose your negro is about as deaf and dumb as I am?" "About," replied Benstead, unable to suppress a smile. "Keep quiet, and no harm will happen to you." "But who is it that you _do_ want?" asked the Buffer. "Your friend Tidkins—better known as the Resurrection Man." "Then you won't find him here." In the meantime, Richard and the gipsy had descended into the after-cabin; and they now re-appeared upon the deck, their search having been fruitless. "He is not there," said Richard. "Let us look forward." He and Morcar visited the cuddy; but the Resurrection Man was evidently not in the lighter. They returned to the after deck; and questioned the Buffer. "I don't know where Tidkins is," was the reply of that individual, who did not dare reveal the truth relative to the expedition to the plague ship, and its result; "and even if I did, it is not likely that I should blab any thing that would get us both into a scrape, since I see that the whole thing with you is a trap, and that man there," he added, pointing to Benstead, "is a policeman." "Now, listen," exclaimed Richard. "It is in my power to have you arrested this moment for being concerned in a plot against my life—you know how and when; but I pledge you my honour that if you will satisfy me relative to Anthony Tidkins, we will depart, and leave you unmolested. I scorn treachery, even among men of your description; and I will not offer you a bribe. But I require to know how he came to separate from you—for I am convinced that he was with you a day or two ago." "Well, sir," said the Buffer, who had found time, while Richard thus spoke, to collect his ideas and invent a tale, "Tidkins, me, and some other pals went on a little excursion the night afore last—you don't want me to get myself into a scrape by saying what the business was; but we fell in with a Thames police boat some way down the river; and Tidkins had a swim for it." "Did he escape?" demanded Richard. "Yes," answered the Buffer, boldly. "I saw him get safe on land; and then of course he took to his heels." "This looks like the truth, sir," said Benstead aside to our hero. "These fellows have been baulked in some scheme—the river-police have got scent of 'em—and that's the reason why this man gets off so quick with his lighter." "And as I do not wish to punish this man for the injury he has done me," said Richard, glancing towards the Buffer,—"as I can afford to forgive _him_,—our expedition seems to have arrived at its close." "Without success, too, sir," added Morcar. "We shall now leave you," continued Richard, turning towards the Buffer; "but rest well assured that, though _we_ forbear from molesting you, justice will some day overtake you in your evil and wayward courses."