THE RED MAN OF THE GIBBET TELLS HIS STORY—WHO FOUNDED THE SKELETON CREW, AND HOW—THE RIVALS. “Who speaks of the Red Man of the Gibbet?” said a sepulchral voice, just as Death-wing had finished his story. All turned round, and saw entering at the door a most alarming figure. Whether it was human or otherwise, no one could tell. Suffice it to say that Redgill sank into his chair again in amazement. The Skeleton Crew made away for the new-comer, who, advancing to the head of the table, stood and looked fixedly at Death-wing. The unknown object was clothed in a loose, red cloak. His face was fleshless, and his grisly hair stood bolt upright, and was grey. His two eye-sockets emitted a bluish flame, and his hands were long, bony, and fleshless. “Who speaks of the Red Man of the Gibbet?” he said. He turned round and looked contemptuously at the Skeleton Crew, as he said, “You have listened to Death-wing’s story; but he has not told you the origin of the famous Skeleton Crew. “It dates farther back than to the period of which he has spoken. No one knows it but myself.” “Then, ghastly object, speak!” said Death-wing. “Tell to me and my followers how it came to pass that thou, the tenant of a lonely gibbet, should walk the earth like mortal.” The Red Man grinned in a most ghastly manner as he said, “Peace, and listen.” All were as silent as the grave as the Red Man began:— “The Skeleton Crew was founded centuries ago. “Their deadliest enemies have been the Warbecks. “Their greatest friends have been found in the Redgill family, and since as I know that this night Phillip, the last of the Redgills, has formally joined your band, and will ultimately command it——” “Command it?” said Death-wing, with a sudden start. “Yes, command it ere long—it is but proper that all should know who and what were the founders of the Skeleton Crew, and the cause of its origin.” “Then speak!” said Phillip, looking in amazement at the ghostly, ghastly figure of the Red Man of the Gibbet. “I will speak, but let each and all listen; aye, to every word. “Many, many years, aye, centuries ago,” the Red Man began, “there lived an old lord, who had no children nor wife, for they had all died young. “This noble was named Warbeck, or, as he was called, ‘Lord of the Lakes.’ “Unknown to any one, he adopted two male children, and brought them up as his own, just like, at the present day, old Sir Richard Warbeck adopted Charley and Ned. “Of this, however, no one knew anything; but the children were not of equal age, nor of the same parents, although they always passed as brothers, and bore the family name of Warbeck. “The elder one was tall, pale, thoughtful, and studious, with black hair, and a martial aspect. His name was Edward. “The other, who was three or four years younger, was of a different aspect, and not so tall. “He was fair-haired and rosy-cheeked, with bright blue eyes, and very passionate.