inter; and in a
few moments he expired.

Thus perished George Radcliff--the elegant _roue_--the heartless
libertine--the man of pleasure--brilliant in intellect, beautiful in
person, generous in heart--but how debased in soul!

They laid the corpse down upon the smooth, green sward, and spread a
handkerchief over the pale, ghastly features. Then they turned to look
for the mysterious second; he was seated, at some distance, upon a large
rock, and they beckoned him to approach. He complied, with some
hesitation; and the Doctor said to him--

'Sir, you seem to manifest very little interest in the fate of your
friend; you see he is dead.'

'I care not,' was the reply--'his death causes me no grief, nor
pleasure; he was no enemy of mine, and as for friends, I have none.
Grief and friendship are sentiments which have long since died in my
breast.'

'By heavens!' exclaimed the Doctor--'I know that voice! The right hand
jealously thrust into your breast--your face so carefully concealed--the
dying words of Radcliff--tell me that you are--'

'The Dead Man!' cried the stranger, uncovering his face--'you are
right--I am he! Doctor, I did not expect to find you with Sydney, or I
should not have ventured. I came to execute vengeance--but your presence
restrains me; crippled as I am, I fear you. No matter; other chances
will offer, when you are absent. That escape of yours through the sewers
was done in masterly style. Doctor, you are a brave fellow, and your
courage inspires me with admiration; you are worthy to follow my
reckless fortunes. Let the past be forgotten; abandon this whining,
preaching Sydney, and join me in my desperate career. Give me your hand,
and let us be friends.'

The Doctor hesitated a moment, and, to Sydney's unutterable amazement,
grasped the Dead Man's hand, and said--

'Oh, Captain, I will re-enlist under your banner; I am tired of a life
of inactivity, and long for the excitement and dangers of an outlaw's
career! We are friends, henceforth and forever.'

The Dead Man grinned with delight; but poor Sydney was thunderstruck.

'Good God!' he exclaimed--'is it possible that you, Doctor, will desert
me, after swearing to me an eternal friendship? You, whom I once
benefitted--you, who have since benefitted me--you, whom I thought to be
one of the best, bravest, and most faithful men under the
sun--notwithstanding your former faults--to prove traitor to me now, and
league yourself with my worst ene