Poor Brand.
Death must have been almost instantaneous.
They tore the mask from Mathias' face, and thereupon an agent of the secret police stepped forward and made known who it was.
"This is the notorious Mathias," he said. "One of the most daring of the brigands hereabouts; we have been wanting him badly for some time past."
"You have got him," said Harkaway, "but oh!" he added, glancing at the lifeless form of Magog Brand, "at what a price for us!"
At this juncture Harvey reached the spot, and taking in the whole scene at a glance, he dropped on his knees beside the body of Magog Brand, where Jefferson was already kneeling, seemingly half stupefied by the catastrophe.
"He has fainted," said he to Harvey.
Harvey shook his head mournfully.
"He'll never faint again, Jefferson."
"What?"