er, undergoing my trials and tortures,
I have observed contempt upon your lip and scorn in your eye. I once
called you coward--but you are a man of doubtless courage, and by Satan!
I have half a mind to shake hands with you and call you friend.'

During this harangue, Frank had unconsciously lowered his pistol, not
suspecting that the long speech was merely a ruse of the Dead Man to
spring upon him unawares. While he stood in an attitude poorly
calculated for defence, the miscreant suddenly, with the quickness of
lightning, sprang upon him, and with irresistible force hurled him to
the floor.

But our hero received an aid which was as unexpected as it was welcome;
for the Doctor threw himself upon the Dead Man, grappled him by the
throat, and nearly strangled him. In vain the ruffian struggled--he was
in the grasp of an adversary too powerful and too intrepid to be
successfully resisted by him. Panting and breathless, he was soon
vanquished by his ancient enemy, who, having tied his arms behind him
with a strong cord, regarded him with a look of hatred and contempt.

'Why, Doctor, what means this?' demanded the villain, in astonishment at
having been so desperately attacked by one whom he had lately regarded
as a friend.

'It means, d----n you,' coolly replied the other--'you have been
deceived and foiled. In deserting Mr. Sydney to join _your_ bloody
standard, I acted in accordance with a plan which I had formed to entrap
and conquer you. I know that as long as I remained the professed friend
of Mr. Sydney, you would view me with distrust and fear, and
consequently, that you would be always on the alert to guard against any
attempt of mine to wreak my vengeance on you. So I professed to become
your friend, and pretended to attach myself to your interest, knowing
that a good opportunity would thereby be afforded me to frustrate any
scheme you might form against the life or safety of Mr. Sydney. You see
how well I have succeeded; you are completely in my power, and by
G----d, this night shall witness the termination of your bloody and
infamous career.'

'You surely will not murder me,' said the Dead Man, frightened by the
determined tone and manner of a man whose vengeance he had reason to
dread.

'To take your accursed life will be no murder,' replied the Doctor--'you
are a thousand times worse than a poisonous reptile or a beast of prey,
and to kill you would be but an act of justice. Yet do not flatter
yoursel