atch,--"remember!"

"If you send for me to the Cross Shovels in the Mint, where I'm going
with Blueskin, I will surrender myself without resistance," returned
Jack.

"You will spare the officers a labour then," rejoined Jonathan.

"Can't I settle this business, Captain," muttered Blueskin, drawing a
pistol.

"Don't harm him," said Jack, carelessly: "he dares not do it."

So saying, he left the room.

"Blueskin," said Jonathan, as that worthy was about to follow, "I advise
you to remain with me."

"No," answered the ruffian, moodily. "If you arrest him, you must arrest
me also."

"As you will," said Jonathan, seating himself.

Jack and his comrade went to the Mint, where he was joined by Edgeworth
Bess, with whom he sat down most unconcernedly to supper. His revelry,
however, was put an end at the expiration of the time mentioned by
Jonathan, by the entrance of a posse of constables with Quilt Arnold and
Abraham Mendez at their head. Jack, to the surprise of all his
companions, at once surrendered himself: but Blueskin would have made a
fierce resistance, and attempted a rescue if he had not been ordered by
his leader to desist. He then made off. Edgeworth Bess, who passed for
Sheppard's wife, was secured. They were hurried before a magistrate, and
charged by Jonathan Wild with various robberies; but, as Jack Sheppard
stated that he had most important disclosures to make, as well as
charges to bring forward against his accuser, he was committed with his
female companion to the New Prison in Clerkenwell for further
examination.

CHAPTER IV.

Jack Sheppard's Escape from the New Prison.

In consequence of Jack Sheppard's desperate character, it was judged
expedient by the keeper of the New Prison to load him with fetters of
unusual weight, and to place him in a cell which, from its strength and
security, was called the Newgate Ward. The ward in which he was
confined, was about six yards in length, and three in width, and in
height, might be about twelve feet. The windows which were about nine
feet from the floor, had no glass; but were secured by thick iron bars,
and an oaken beam. Along the floor ran an iron bar to which Jack's chain
was attached, so that he could move along it from one end of the chamber
to the other. No prisoner except Edgeworth Bess was placed in the same
cell with him. Jack was in excellent spirits; and by his wit, drollery
and agreeable demeanour, speedily became a great favour