ertain. The moment I entered the room, and found you a prisoner in the
hands of Jonathan Wild, I guessed how matters stood, and acted
accordingly. Things haven't gone quite as smoothly as I anticipated;
but they might have been worse. I _can_ save you, and _will_. But, say
we're friends."

"You're not deceiving me!" said Thames, doubtfully.

"I am not, by Heaven!" replied Sheppard, firmly.

"Don't swear, Jack, or I shall distrust you. I can't give you my hand;
but you may take it."

"Thank you! thank you!" faltered Jack, in a voice full of emotion. "I'll
soon free you from these bracelets."

"You needn't trouble yourself," replied Thames. "Mr. Wood will be here
presently."

"Mr. Wood!" exclaimed Jack, in surprise. "How have you managed to
communicate with him?"

Abraham, who had listened attentively to the foregoing
conversation,--not a word of which escaped him,--now drew in his breath,
and brought his ear closer to the boards.

"By means of the watchman who had the charge of me," replied Thames.

"Curse him!" muttered Abraham.

"Hist!" exclaimed Jack. "I thought I heard a noise. Speak lower.
Somebody may be on the watch--perhaps, that old ginger-hackled Jew."

"I don't care if he is," rejoined Thames, boldly. "He'll learn that his
plans will be defeated."

"He may learn how to defeat yours," replied Jack.

"So he may," rejoined Abraham, aloud, "so he may."

"Death and fiends!" exclaimed Jack; "the old thief _is_ there. I knew
it. You've betrayed yourself, Thames."

"Vot o' that?" chuckled Abraham. "_You_ can shave him, you know."

"I _can_," rejoined Jack; "and you, too, old Aaron, if I'd a razor."

"How soon do you expect Mishter Vudd?" inquired the janizary,
tauntingly.

"What's that to you?" retorted Jack, surlily.

"Because I shouldn't like to be out o' the vay ven he arrives," returned
Abraham, in a jeering tone; "it vouldn't be vell bred."

"Vouldn't it!" replied Jack, mimicking his snuffling voice; "then shtay
vere you are, and be cursed to you."

"It's all up," muttered Thames. "Mr. Wood will be intercepted. I've
destroyed my only chance."

"Not your _only_ chance, Thames," returned Jack, in the same undertone;
"but your best. Never mind. We'll turn the tables upon 'em yet. Do you
think we could manage that old clothesman between us, if we got out of
this box?"

"I'd manage him myself, if my arms were free," replied Thames, boldly.

"Shpeak up, vill you?" cried Abraham, rapping h