hment and
consternation amid the group. Winifred screamed. Thames sprang to his
feet, and half drew his sword, while Wood, removing his spectacles to
assure himself that his eyes did not deceive him, exclaimed in a tone
and with a look that betrayed the extremity of surprise--"Jack
Sheppard!"

"Jack Sheppard!" echoed the maid. "Is this Jack Sheppard? Oh, la! I'm
undone! We shall all have our throats cut! Oh! oh!" And she rushed,
screaming, into the passage where she fell down in a fit.

The occasion of all this confusion and dismay, meanwhile, remained
perfectly motionless; his figure erect, and with somewhat of dignity in
his demeanour. He kept his keen eyes steadily fixed on Thames, as if
awaiting to be addressed.

"Your audacity passes belief," cried the latter, as soon as his surprise
would allow him utterance. "If you have contrived to break out of your
confinement, villain, this is the last place where you ought to show
yourself."

"And, therefore, the first I would visit," replied Jack, boldly. "But,
pardon my intrusion. I was _resolved_ to see you. And, fearing you might
not come to me, I forced my way hither, even with certainty of
discomposing your friends."

"Well, villain!" replied Thames, "I know not the motive of your visit.
But, if you have come to surrender yourself to justice, it is well. You
cannot depart hence."

"Cannot?" echoed Jack, a slight smile crossing his features. "But, let
that pass. My motive in coming hither is to serve you, and save your
life. If you choose to requite me by detaining me, you are at liberty to
do so. I shall make no defence. That I am not ignorant of the reward
offered for my capture this will show," he added, taking a large placard
headed '_Murder_' from his pocket, and throwing it on the floor. "My
demeanour ought to convince you that I came with no hostile intention.
And, to show you that I have no intention of flying, I will myself close
and lock the door. There is the key. Are you now satisfied?"

"No," interposed Wood, furiously, "I shall never be satisfied till I
see you hanged on the highest gibbet at Tyburn."

"A time may come when you will be gratified, Mr. Wood," replied Jack,
calmly.

"May come!--it _will_ come!--it _shall_ come!" cried the carpenter,
shaking his hand menacingly at him. "I have some difficulty in
preventing myself from becoming your executioner. Oh! that I should have
nursed such a viper!"

"Hear me, Sir," said Jack.

"No, I won