"Vile wretch!" exclaimed Richard; "God has at length sent me to discover and expose your crimes!"
"Don't do me any harm—don't hurt me," said the old woman; "and I will do any thing you want of me."
"Answer me," cried Markham: "that corpse in the other room——"
"Murdered by my son," replied the hag.
"And the clothes? where are the clothes? They may contain some papers which may throw a light upon the name and residence of your victim."
"Follow me—I will show you."
The old woman turned and walked slowly out of the room. Markham went after her; for he thought that if he could discover who the unfortunate person was that had met his death in that accursed dwelling, he might be enabled to relieve his family at least from the horrors of suspense, although he should be the bearer of fatal news indeed.
The Mummy opened the door of a cupboard formed beneath the staircase, and holding forward the light, pointed to some clothes which hung upon a nail inside.
"There—take them yourself if you want them," said the old woman; "I won't touch them."
With these words she drew back, but still held the candle in such a way as to throw the light into the closet.