"And what should you say if you heard that Tidkins was beyond your reach in this world?"
"I should rejoice that society was relieved from such a fiend."
"Then I think that I can make your mind easy on that score," said the man.
"What do you mean?" cried Richard, eagerly.
"I mean that this hand has done the law's work," responded the stranger.
"You mean—you mean that you yourself have acted the part of an avenger?" said Markham.
"Precisely what I do mean: in plain terms, I've killed him."
"My God! and you tell me this so coolly!" exclaimed Richard. "Whatever that man's crimes may be, you are not the less a murderer!"
"Pooh—pooh! I should have thought you'd more pluck than to talk in this way. What does it matter whether Jack Ketch or a private enemy did the job?"