ried at four
lane-ends."

Jack could stand no more. Placing a piece of money in Morgan's hands, he
hurried out of the churchyard.

"By my soul," said the sexton, "that's as like Jack Sheppard as any one
I ever seed i' my born days."

Hastening to the Six Bells, Jack ordered some refreshment, and engaged a
private room, where he remained till the afternoon absorbed in grief.

Meantime, a change had taken place in the weather. The day had become
suddenly overcast. The wind blew in fitful gusts, and scattered the
yellow leaves from the elms and horse-chestnuts. Roused by the bell
tolling for evening service, Jack left the house. On reaching the
churchyard, he perceived the melancholy procession descending the hill.
Just then, a carriage drawn by four horses, drove furiously up to the
Six Bells; but Jack was too much absorbed to take any notice of it.

At this moment, the bell began to toll in a peculiar manner, announcing
the approach of the corpse. The gate was opened; the coffin brought into
the churchyard; and Jack, whose eyes were filled with tears, saw Mr.
Wood and Thames pass him, and followed at a foot's pace behind them.

Meanwhile, the clergyman, bare-headed and in his surplice, advanced to
meet them. Having read the three first verses of the impressive service
appointed for the burial of the dead, he returned to the church, whither
the coffin was carried through the south-western door, and placed in the
centre of the aisle--Mr. Wood and Thames taking their places on either
side of it, and Jack at a little distance behind.

Jack had been touched in the morning, but he was now completely
prostrated. In the midst of the holy place, which he had formerly
profaned, lay the body of his unfortunate mother, and he could not help
looking upon her untimely end as the retributive vengeance of Heaven for
the crime he had committed. His grief was so audible, that it attracted
the notice of some of the bystanders, and Thames was obliged to beg him
to control it. In doing this, he chanced to raise his eyes and half
fancied he beheld, shaded by a pillar at the extremity of the western
aisle, the horrible countenance of the thief-taker.

Before the congregation separated, the clergyman descended from the
pulpit; and, followed by the coffin-bearers and mourners, and by Jack at
a respectful distance, entered the churchyard.

The carriage, which it has been mentioned drove up to the Six Bells,
contained four persons,--Jona