ked, and drawing his sword, Quilt
entered the cell. The next moment, an exclamation was heard in the voice
of Thames. Darting forward at this sound, Jack threw open the door, and
beheld Quilt kneeling over Thames, who'se hands and feet were bound with
cords, and about to plunge his sword into his breast. A blow from the
iron bar instantly stretched the ruffian on the floor. Jack then
proceeded to liberate the captive from his bondage.

"Jack!" exclaimed Thames. "Is it you?"

"It is," replied Sheppard, as he untied the cords. "I might return the
question. Were it not for your voice, I don't think I should know you.
You are greatly altered."

Captivity had, indeed, produced a striking alteration in Thames. He
looked like the shadow of himself--thin, feeble, hollow-eyed--his beard
unshorn--nothing could be more miserable.

"I have never been out of this horrible dungeon since we last met," he
said; "though how long ago that is, I scarcely know. Night and day have
been alike to me."

"Six weeks have elapsed since that fatal night," replied Jack. "During
the whole of that time I have been a close prisoner in Newgate, whence I
have only just escaped."

"Six weeks!" exclaimed Thames, in a melancholy tone. "It seems like six
long months to me."

"I do not doubt it," returned Jack; "none but those who have experienced
it can understand the miseries of imprisonment."

"Do not speak of it," rejoined Thames, with a look of horror. "Let us
fly from this frightful place."

"I will conduct you to the outlet," replied Jack; "but I cannot leave it
till I have ascertained whether my mother also is a prisoner here."

"I can answer that," replied Thames. "She is. The monster, Wild, when he
visited my dungeon last night, told me, to add to my misery, that she
occupied a cell near me."

"Arm yourself with that ruffian's weapons," replied Jack, "and let us
search for her."

Thames complied. But he was so feeble, that it seemed scarcely possible
he could offer any effectual resistance in case of an attack.

"Lean on me," said Jack.

Taking the light, they then proceeded along the passage. There was no
other door in it, and Jack therefore struck into another entry which
branched off to the right. They had not proceeded far when a low moan
was heard.

"She is here," cried Jack, darting forward.

A few steps brought him to the door of the vault in which his mother was
immured. It was locked. Jack had brought away the bunch of