"Are you sure?" demanded Markham. "Why has he sent you first? could he suspect treachery from his own brother?"
"Not a bit of it," replied the Buffer. "Only—but here he comes, sure enow."
Approaching footsteps were heard; and in a minute or two another form emerged from the gloom of night.
Markham's heart palpitated violently.
"Here is your brother, sir," said the Buffer.
"Eugene—dear Eugene!" cried Richard, springing forward to catch his brother in his arms.
"Brother indeed!" muttered the ominous voice of the Resurrection Man; and at the same moment Richard was pinioned from behind by the Buffer, who skilfully wove a cord around his arms, and fastened his elbows together.
"Villains!" ejaculated Richard, struggling with all his might—but vainly, for the Resurrection Man, whose voice he had immediately recognised but too well, threw him violently upon the damp sod.
"Now, my lad," cried the Resurrection Man, "your fate is decided. In a few minutes you'll be at the bottom of the canal, and then—"
He said no more—for at that moment another person appeared upon the scene; and, quick as thought, the Resurrection Man was felled by the butt end of a pistol.