The young man appeared alarmed by Richard's exclamations and manners, and seemed undecided whether to remain where he was or attempt to escape.
Richard divined what was passing in the lad's bosom, and hastened to reassure him.
"Sit down—and fear nothing. I swear most solemnly that no harm shall happen to you, be you who or what you may: for I cannot suppose that you are a participator in the crimes of these miscreants. You would not have come to me to tell me all this—Oh! no; Providence has sent you hither this day."
Holford took a seat, wondering how this extraordinary scene was to terminate.
"Are you aware of the pursuits of those two men whom you have named—I mean the full extent of the atrocity of their pursuits?" demanded Richard, after a few moments' pause.
"I know that they are body-snatchers and burglars, sir," answered Holford: "indeed it was a burglary of which they would have made me the instrument; but, oh! sir—believe me, I am incapable of such a crime; and the representations I have made to them have induced them to abandon all idea of it."
"And you are not aware, then," continued Richard, "that they are more than body-snatchers and burglars?"
"More, sir!" repeated Holford in a tone of unfeigned surprise: "Oh! no, sir—how can they be more than that?"
"They are more—far more," rejoined Markham, with a shudder: "they are murderers!"
"Murderers!" ejaculated Holford, starting from his chair with mingled emotions of horror and alarm.