ossible--more than possible. It's certain. I'll lay my life he's
gone. Come with me to the Condemned Hold directly, and, if I find my
fears confirmed, I'll--"

He was here interrupted by the sudden entrance of the black, who rushed
precipitately into the room, letting fall the heavy bunch of keys in his
fright.

"O Massa Ireton! Massa Wild!" ejaculated Caliban, "Shack Sheppart gone!"

"Gone? you black devil!--Gone?" cried Ireton.

"Iss, Massa. Caliban sarch ebery hole in de place, but Shack no dere.
Only him big hoss padlock--noting else."

"I knew it," rejoined Wild, with concentrated rage; "and he escaped you
all, in broad day, before your faces. You may well say it's impossible!
His Majesty's jail of Newgate is admirably guarded, I must say. Ireton,
you are in league with him."

"Sir," said the chief turnkey, indignantly.

"You _are_, Sir," thundered Jonathan; "and, unless you find him, you
shan't hold your place a week. I don't threaten idly, as you know. And
you, Austin; and you Langley, I say the same thing to you."

"But, Mr. Wild," implored the turnkeys.

"I've said it," rejoined Jonathan, peremptorily. "And you, Marvel, you
must have been a party--"

"I, Sir!"

"If he's not found, I'll get a new hangman."

"Zounds!" cried Marvel, "I--"

"Hush!" whispered the tapstress, "or I retract my promise."

"Mrs. Spurling," said Jonathan, who overheard the whisper, "you owe your
situation to me. If you have aided Jack Sheppard's escape, you shall owe
your discharge to me also."

"As you please, Sir," replied the tapstress, coolly. "And the next time
Captain Darrell wants a witness, I promise you he shan't look for one in
vain."

"Ha! hussy, dare you threaten?" cried Wild; but, checking himself, he
turned to Ireton and asked, "How long have the women been gone?"

"Scarcely five minutes," replied the latter.

"One of you fly to the market," returned Jonathan; "another to the
river; a third to the New Mint. Disperse in every direction. We'll have
him yet. A hundred pounds to the man who takes him."

So saying, he rushed out, followed by Ireton and Langley.

"A hundred pounds!" exclaimed Shotbolt. "That's a glorious reward. Do
you think he'll pay it?"

"I'm sure of it," replied Austin.

"Then I'll have it before to-morrow morning," said the keeper of the New
Prison, to himself. "If Jack Sheppard sups with Mr. Kneebone, I'll make
one of the party."

CHAPTER XI.

Dollis Hill revisited.