So far the stranger, who had been the means of his visit to that strange tenement, had not deceived him.
But how was he to satisfy himself in regard to the Resurrection Man? He tried the door—it was indeed fastened; he examined the windows—they were not barred, but were of a dangerous height from the back-yard on which they looked.
Markham paced the room uncertain how to act.
Suddenly his reverie was interrupted by the tread of many steps upon the stairs; and then a species of subdued bustle took place throughout the house.
The whispering of voices—the removal of heavy objects overhead—the running of persons hither and thither—and the opening and shutting of doors, announced that some extraordinary movement was taking place.
Richard listened with breathless anxiety.
At length the sounds of several heavy steps, in the landing outside his door, met his ears; and this noise was at short intervals varied by deep groans.
The groans seemed to accompany the tread of the heavy steps just mentioned.
These steps and those expressions of human suffering grew fainter and fainter, as they descended the stairs, until at length they were no longer audible.
Nevertheless Markham kept his ear fixed to the key-hole of his chamber-door.