oll," rejoined the woollen-draper; "I don't want to hurt
you. It shall never be said that I raised my arm willingly against a
woman."

"I'll forgive you all the harm you do me," rejoined the Amazon. "What!
you still hesitate! Will that rouse you, coward?" And she gave him a
smart rap on the head.

"Coward!" cried Kneebone. "Neither man nor woman shall apply that term
to me. If you forget your sex, jade, I must forget mine."

With this, he attacked her vigorously in his turn.

It was a curious sight to see how this extraordinary woman, who, it has
been said, was not less remarkable for the extreme delicacy of her
features, and the faultless symmetry of her figure, than for her
wonderful strength and agility, conducted herself in the present
encounter; with what dexterity she parried every blow aimed against her
by her adversary, whose head and face, already marked by various ruddy
streams, showed how successfully her own hits had been made;--how she
drew him hither and thither, now leading him on, now driving him
suddenly back; harassing and exhausting him in every possible way, and
making it apparent that she could at any moment put an end to the fight,
and only delayed the finishing stroke to make his punishment the more
severe.

Jack, meanwhile, with Blueskin's assistance, had set the table once more
upon its legs, and placing writing materials, which he took from a
shelf, upon it, made Shotbolt, who was still gagged, but whose arms were
for the moment unbound, sit down before them.

"Write as I dictate," he cried, placing a pen in the jailer's hand and a
pistol to his ear.

Shotbolt nodded in token of acquiescence, and emitted an odd guttural
sound.

"Write as follows," continued Jack. "'I have succeeded in capturing Jack
Sheppard. The reward is mine. Get all ready for his reception. In a few
minutes after the delivery of this note he will be in Newgate.' Sign
it," he added, as, after some further threats, the letter was indited
according to his dictation, "and direct it to Mr. Austin. That's well.
And, now, to find a messenger."

"Mr. Kneebone's man is in the shop," said Rachel; "he'll take it."

"Can I trust him?" mused Jack. "Yes; he'll suspect nothing. Give him
this letter, child, and bid him take it to the Lodge at Newgate without
loss of time. Blueskin will go with you,--for fear of a mistake."

"You might trust me," said Rachel, in an offended tone; "but never
mind."

And she left the room with