Greenwood fired point-blank at Tidkins's head but without the slightest effect.
The door was opened; and the Resurrection Man sprang into the vehicle.
Greenwood fired his second pistol; but it merely singed his assailant's hair.
Then the Member of Parliament was dragged into the road, and bound hand and foot almost in the twinkling of an eye.
This being done, the Resurrection Man hastened to search the chaise, and speedily secured the tin box.
He gave a long shrill whistle: this was a signal to announce his success; for it had been previously agreed amongst the ruffians that they should not utter a word more than might be absolutely necessary, so that their voices might not be afterwards recognised, in case suspicion fell upon them. Moreover, the Resurrection Man's voice was well known to Greenwood; and thus this precaution was not an useless one.
The four robbers and Lafleur now beat a rapid retreat towards an adjacent chalk-pit, the Buffer leading the way, and the Resurrection Man carrying the box.
CHAPTER CLXXXIII.
KIND FRIENDS.
We left Richard Markham at the moment when, awaking in a strange bed, he perceived that Thomas Armstrong's letter was gone!
It would be impossible to describe his grief at this discovery.