tion, was
induced to partake of some refreshment. An hour was then passed in
conversation as to the possibility of rendering any assistance to Jack;
in deploring his unhappy destiny; and in the consideration of the course
to be pursued in reference to Jonathan Wild.

While they were thus occupied, a maid-servant entered the room, and
stated that a person was without who had a packet for Captain Darrell,
which must be delivered into his own hands. Notwithstanding the
remonstrances of Wood and Winifred, Thames instantly followed the
domestic, and found a man, with his face muffled up, at the door, as she
had described. Somewhat alarmed at his appearance, Thames laid his hand
upon his sword.

"Fear nothing, Sir," said the man, in a voice which Thames instantly
recognised as that of Blueskin. "I am come to render you a service.
There are the packets which my Captain hazarded his life to procure for
you, and which he said would establish your right to the estates of the
Trenchard family. There are also the letters which were scattered about
Wild's room after the murder of Sir Rowland. And there," he added,
placing in his hands a heavy bag of money, and a pocket-book, "is a sum
little short of fifteen thousand pounds."

"How have you procured these things?" asked Thames, in the utmost
astonishment.

"I carried them off on the fatal night when we got into Wild's house,
and you were struck down," replied Blueskin. "They have ever since been
deposited in a place of safety. You have nothing more to fear from
Wild."

"How so?" asked Thames.

"I have saved the executioner a labour, by cutting his throat," replied
Blueskin. "And, may I be cursed if I ever did anything in my whole life
which gave me so much satisfaction."

"Almighty God! is this possible?" exclaimed Thames.

"You will find it true," replied Blueskin. "All I regret is, that I
failed in liberating the Captain. If he had got off, they might have
hanged me, and welcome."

"What can be done for him?" cried Thames.

"That's not an easy question to answer," rejoined Blueskin. "But I shall
watch night and day about Newgate, in the hope of getting him out. He
wouldn't require my aid, but before I stopped Jonathan's mouth, he had
ordered him to be doubly-ironed, and constantly watched. And, though the
villain can't see his orders executed, I've no doubt some one else
will."

"Poor Jack!" exclaimed Thames. "I would sacrifice all my fortune--all my
hopes--to libe