"We will exert ourselves to discover the miscreant that blew up our comrades in Bethnal Green," observed the constable who had been our hero's companion that night. "Should we succeed in capturing him, sir, where can I wait upon you to communicate the tidings?" "My name is Markham," was the reply, "and I live at Holloway. If you discover the villain Anthony Tidkins, lose not a moment in making me acquainted with the circumstance." Richard then rewarded the three constables liberally for the trouble they had taken; and ere he departed from them, he drew aside the one who had been his companion. "My good fellow," he said, slipping an additional sovereign into his hand, "you have too kind a heart for the situation which you fill. Should you ever require a friend, hesitate not to come to me." "And should you, sir, ever need the humble aid of Morris Benstead, you know the Division I belong to, and a note to the chief station will always command my attention." Markham thanked the officer for his civility, and then struck into the nearest street leading from the Holy Land to Tottenham Court Road, where he hoped to find a vehicle to take him home. But scarcely had he proceeded twenty paces, when he heard hasty footsteps behind him; and, turning round, was accosted by a man whose slouched hat almost entirely shaded his countenance. "I beg your pardon, sir," said the man; "but I heard you mention two names a few moments ago that are familiar to me." "Indeed!" cried our hero, surprised at this strange mode of address. "Yes:—I was lurking in a court, and I heard you say that you were Mr. Richard Markham," resumed the man: "and you mentioned a certain Anthony Tidkins." "I did. Do you know him?" demanded Richard. "But too well," answered the man bitterly. "Who are you?" inquired Markham. "No matter who I am: I know _you_—and I know _him_. I was in a certain place at the same time that you were there; though we were not in the same ward. But I heard all about you _then_; and when you mentioned your name just now, I felt sure you was the same person. Has Tidkins ever injured you?" "Cruelly," replied Richard. "But I am not influenced by petty motives of revenge: I am anxious to deliver a monster into the grasp of justice." [Illustration] "And what should you say if you heard that Tidkins was beyond your reach in this world?" "I should rejoice that society was relieved from such a fiend." "Then I think that I can make your mind easy on that score," said the man. "What do you mean?" cried Richard, eagerly. "I mean that this hand has done the law's work," responded the stranger. "You mean—you mean that you yourself have acted the part of an avenger?" said Markham. "Precisely what I _do_ mean: in plain terms, I've killed him." "My God! and you tell me this so coolly!" exclaimed Richard. "Whatever that man's crimes may be, you are not the less a murderer!"