his sole covering at night.  In spite of all this, he grew daily better and stronger, and his spirits revived.  Hitherto, no visiters had been permitted to see him.  As the time when his identity had to be proved approached, this rigour was, in a trifling degree, relaxed, and a few persons were occasionally admitted to the ward, but only in the presence of Austin.  From none of these could Jack ascertain what had become of Thames, or learn any particulars concerning the family at Dollis Hill, or of his mother.  Austin, who had been evidently schooled by Wild, maintained a profound silence on this head.  In this way, more than a month passed over.  October arrived; and in another week the court would be sitting at the Old Bailey.

One night, about this time, just as Austin was about to lock the great gate, Jonathan Wild and his two janizaries entered the Lodge with a prisoner bound hand and foot.  It was Blueskin.  On the cords being removed, he made a desperate spring at Wild, bore him to the ground, clutched at his throat, and would, infallibly, have strangled him, if the keepers had not all thrown themselves upon him, and by main force torn him off.  His struggles were so violent, that, being a man of tremendous strength, it was some time before they could master him, and it required the combined efforts of all the four partners to put him into irons.  It appeared from what he said that he had been captured when asleep,—­that his liquor had been drugged,—­otherwise, he would never have allowed himself to be taken alive.  Wild, he asserted, had robbed him of a large sum of money, and till it was restored he would never plead.

“We’ll see that,” replied Jonathan.  “Take him to the bilbowes.  Put him in the stocks, and there let him sleep off his drunken fit.  Whether he pleads or not, he shall swing with his confederate, Jack Sheppard.”

At this allusion to his leader, a shudder passed through Blueskin’s athletic frame.

“Where is he?” he cried.  “Let me see him.  Let me have a word with him, and you may take all the money.”

Jonathan made no answer, but motioned the partners to take him away.

As soon as Blueskin was removed, Wild intimated his intention of visiting the Castle.  He was accompanied by Ireton and Austin.  The massive door was unlocked, and they entered the cell.  What was their surprise to find it vacant, and the prisoner gone!  Jonathan, could scarcely believe his eyes.  He looked fiercely and inquiringly from one to the other of his companions; but, though both of them were excessively frightened, neither appeared guilty.  Before a word could be said, however, a slight noise was heard in the chimney, and Jack with his irons on descended from it.  Without betraying the slightest confusion, or making a single remark, he quietly resumed his seat.

“Amazement!” cried Wild.  “How has he unfastened his padlock?  Austin, it must be owing to your negligence.”