keys which he
had taken from Quilt Arnold, but, none of them would open it. He was
therefore obliged to use the iron bar, which he did with as much caution
as circumstances would permit. At the first blow, Mrs. Sheppard uttered
a piercing scream.

"Wretch!" she cried, "you shall not force me to your hateful purpose. I
will never wed you. I have a weapon--a knife--and if you attempt to open
the door, will plunge it to my heart."

"Oh God!" exclaimed Jack, paralysed by her cries. "What shall I do? If I
persist, I shall destroy her."

"Get hence," continued Mrs. Sheppard, with a frenzied laugh. "You shall
never behold me alive."

"Mother!" cried Jack, in a broken voice. "It is your son."

"It is false," cried Mrs. Sheppard. "Think not to deceive me, monster. I
know my son's voice too well. He is in Newgate. Hence!"

"Mother! dear mother!" cried Jack, in a voice, the tones of which were
altered by his very anxiety to make them distinct, "listen to me. I have
broken from prison, and am come to save you."

"It is _not_ Jack's voice," rejoined Mrs. Sheppard. "I am not to be
deceived. The knife is at my breast. Stir a foot, and I strike."

"Oh Heavens!" cried Jack, driven to his wits' end. "Mother--dear mother!
Once again, I beseech you to listen to me. I am come to rescue you from
Wild's violence. I must break open the door. Hold your hand for a
moment."

"You have heard my fixed determination, villain," cried Mrs. Sheppard.
"I know my life is valuable to you, or you would not spare it. But I
will disappoint you. Get you gone. Your purposes are defeated."

"Footsteps are approaching," cried Thames. "Heed her not. It is but a
wild threat."

"I know not how to act," exclaimed Jack, almost driven to desperation.

"I hear you plotting with your wicked associates," cried Mrs. Sheppard.
"I have baffled you."

"Force the door," said Thames, "or you will be too late."

"Better she die by her own hand, than by that monster's," cried Jack,
brandishing the bar. "Mother, I come to you."

With this, he struck the door a heavy blow.

He listened. There was a deep groan, and the sound of a fall within.

"I have killed her," exclaimed Jack, dropping the bar,--"by your advice,
Thames. Oh God! pardon me."

"Do not delay," cried Thames. "She may yet be saved. I am too weak to
aid you."

Jack again seized the bar, and, dashing it furiously against the door,
speedily burst it open.

The unfortunate woman was stretched up