lable
violence of my passion must plead my excuse. My whole life shall be
devoted to you, beloved girl. And when you reflect how much at heart
your poor mother, whose loss we must ever deplore, had our union, you
will, I am persuaded, no longer refuse me."

"Sir!" exclaimed Winifred.

"You will make me the happiest of mankind," cried the woollen-draper,
falling on his knees, and seizing her hand, which he devoured with
kisses.

"Let me go," cried Winifred. "I disbelieve the whole story you have told
me."

"By Heaven!" cried Kneebone, with increasing fervour, "it is true--as
true as my affection for you."

"I do not doubt it," retorted Winifred, scornfully; "because I attach
credit neither to one nor the other. If Thames _is_ murdered, you are
his assassin. Let me go, Sir."

The woollen-draper made no answer, but hastily starting up, bolted the
door.

"What do you mean?" cried Winifred in alarm.

"Nothing more than to obtain a favourable answer to my suit," replied
Kneebone.

"This is not the way to obtain it," said Winifred, endeavouring to reach
the door.

"You shall not go, adorable girl," cried Kneebone, catching her in his
arms, "till you have answered me. You must--you shall be mine."

"Never," replied Winifred. "Release me instantly, or I will call my
father."

"Do so," replied Kneebone; "but remember the door is locked."

"Monster!" cried Winifred. "Help! help!"

"You call in vain," returned Kneebone.

"Not so," replied Jack, throwing down the skreen. "Release her
instantly, villain!"

Both Winifred and her suitor started at this sudden apparition. Jack,
whose clothes were covered with dust, and whose face was deathly pale
from his recent exertion, looked more like a phantom than a living
person.

"In the devil's name, is that you, Jack!" ejaculated Kneebone.

"It is," replied Sheppard. "You have uttered a wilful and deliberate
falsehood in asserting that I have murdered Thames, for whom you well
know I would lay down my life. Retract your words instantly, or take the
consequences."

"What should I retract, villain?" cried the woollen-draper, who at the
sound of Jack's voice had regained his confidence. "To the best of my
belief, Thames Darrell has been murdered by you."

"A lie!" exclaimed Jack in a terrible tone. And before Kneebone could
draw his sword, he felled him to the ground with the iron bar.

"You have killed him," cried Winifred in alarm.

"No," answered Jack, approachi