At last a servant came in a hurry, and told Mr. Wild there was a gentleman below desired to speak with him.  Jonathan bowed and begged the gentleman’s pardon, told him he would wait on him in one minute, and without staying for a reply withdrew, and clapped the door after him.  In about five minutes he returned with a very smiling countenance, and turning to the gentleman, said, I protest sir, you are the luckiest man I ever knew.  I spoke to one of my people just now, to go to a house where I know some lifters resort, and directed him to talk of the robbery that had been committed in your house, and to say that the gentleman had been with me and offered thirty guineas, provided the things might be had again, but declared, if he did not receive them in a very short space, he would give as great a reward for the discovery of the thief, whom he would prosecute with the utmost severity.  This story has had its effect, and if you go directly home, I fancy you’ll hear more news of it yourself than I am able to tell you.  But pray, sir, remember one thing; that the thirty guineas was your own offer.  You are at free liberty to give them, or let them alone; do which you please, ’tis nothing to me; but take notice, sir, that I have done all for you in my power, without the least expectation of gratuity.

Away went the mercer, confounded in his mind, and wondering where this affair would end.  But as he walked up Southampton Street a fellow overtook him, patted him on the shoulder, and delivered him the bundle unopened, telling him the price was twenty guineas.  The mercer paid it him directly, and returning to Jonathan in half an hour’s time, readily expressed abundance of thanks to Mr. Wild for his assistance, and begged him to accept of the ten guineas he had saved him, for his pains.  Jonathan told him that he had saved him nothing, but supposed that the people thought twenty demand enough, considering that they were now pretty safe from prosecution.  The mercer still pressed the ten guineas upon Jonathan, who after taking them out of his hand returned him five of them, and assured him that was more than enough, adding:  ’Tis satisfaction enough, sir, to an honest man that he is able to procure people their goods again.

This, you will say, was a remarkable instance of his moderation.  I will join to it as extraordinary an account of his justice, equity, or what else you will please to call it.  It happened thus.

A lady whose husband was out of the kingdom, and had sent over to her draughts for her assistance to the amount of between fifteen hundred and two thousand pounds, lost the pocket-book in which they were contained, between Bucklersbury and Magpie alehouse in Leadenhall Street, where the merchant lived upon whom they were drawn.  She however, went to the gentleman, and he advised her to go directly to Mr. Jonathan Wild.  Accordingly to Jonathan she came, deposited the crown, and answered the questions she asked him.  Jonathan