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that. Ain't we, partner?" he added, appealing to Langley, whom punch had made rather dozy.

"I should think so," responded the lethargic turnkey, with a yawn.

During this colloquy, Jack had contrived unobserved to put on the hood and cloak, and being about the size of the rightful owner, presented a very tolerable resemblance to her. This done, Edgeworth Bess, who watched her opportunity, slipped out of the Lodge.

"Halloa!" exclaimed Austin, who had caught a glimpse of her departing figure," one of the women is gone?

"

"No-no," hastily interposed Mrs. Spurling; "they're both here. Don't you see they 're putting on their cloaks ?"

"That's false !" rejoined Marvel, in a low tone; "I perceive what has taken place.'

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"Oh! goodness!" ejaculated the tapstress, in alarm. “You won't betray him."

"Say the word, and I'm mum," returned the executioner. "Will you be mine?"

"It's a very unfair advantage to take

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Spurling; however, I consent."

very," replied Mrs.

"Then I'll lend a helping hand. I shall lose my fees and the laced coat. But it's better to have the bride without the weddin'-dress, than the weddin'-dress without the bride."

At this moment, Saint Sepulchre's clock struck six.

"Close the wicket, Austin," vocifereated Ireton, in an authoritative tone.

"Good b'ye!" cried Jack, as if taking leave of his mistresses, "to-morrow, at the same time."

"We'll be punctual," replied Mrs. Maggot. "Good b’ye, Jack! Keep up your spirits."

"Now for it!-life or death!" exclaimed Jack, assuming the gait of a female, and stepping towards the door.

As Austin rose to execute his principal's commands, and usher the women to the gate, Mrs. Spurling and Marvel rose too. The latter walked carelessly toward the hatch, and, leaning his back against the place whence the spike had been removed, so as completely to hide it, continued smoking his pipe as coolly as if nothing had happened.

Just as Jack gained the entrance, he heard a man's footstep behind him; and, aware that the slightest indiscretion would betray him, he halted, uncertain what to do.

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Stop a minute, my dear," cried Austin. "You forget that you promised me a kiss the last time you were here."

“Won't one from me do as well?" interposed Mrs. Maggot. "Much better," said Mrs. Spurling, hastening to the rescue. "I want to speak to Edgeworth Bess myself."

So saying, she planted herself between Jack and the turnkey. It was a moment of breathless interest to all engaged in the attempt.

"Come-the kiss!" cried Austin, endeavouring to pass his arm familiarly round the Amazon's waist.

"Hands off!" she exclaimed; "or you'll repent it." "Why, what'll you do?" demanded the turnkey.

"Teach you to keep your distance!" retorted Mrs. Maggot, dealing him a buffet that sent him reeling several yards backwards.

"There! off with you!" whispered Mrs. Spurling, squeezing Jack's arm, and pushing him towards the door, "and, don't come here again."

Before Austin could recover himself, Jack and Mrs. Maggot had disappeared.

"Bolt the wicket!" shouted Ireton, who, with the others, had been not a little entertained by the gallant turnkey's discomfiture.

This was done, and Austin returned with a crest-fallen look to the table. Upon which Mrs. Spurling, and her now accepted suitor, resumed their seats.

"You'll be as good as your word, my charmer," whispered the executioner.

"Of course," responded the widow, heaving a deep sigh. "Oh! Jack! Jack! you little know what a price I've paid

for

you

י!

"Well, I'm glad those women are gone," remarked Shotbolt. "Coupling their presence with Jack's speech, I couldn't help fearing some mischief might ensue."

"That reminds me he 's still at large," returned Ireton. “Here, Caliban, go and fasten his padlock.

"Iss, Massa Ireton," replied the black.

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Stop, Caliban," interposed Mrs. Spurling, who wished to protract the discovery of the escape as long as possible. "Before you go, bring me the bottle of pine-apple rum I opened yesterday. I should like Mr. Ireton and his friends to taste it. It's in the lower cupboard. Oh! you haven't got the key then I must have it, I suppose. How provoking!" she added, pretending to rummage her pockets; "one never can find a thing when one wants it."

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"Never mind it, my dear Mrs. Spurling," rejoined Ireton; we can taste the rum when he returns. We shall have Mr. Wild here presently, and I wouldn't for the world - Zounds!" he exclaimed, as the figure of the thieftaker appeared at the wicket, "here he is. Off with you, Caliban! Fly, you rascal!"

"Mr. Wild here!" exclaimed Mrs. Spurling in alarm. “Oh gracious! he's lost!"

"Who's lost?" demanded Ireton.

"The key," replied the widow.

All the turnkeys rose to salute the thieftaker, whose habitually-sullen countenance looked gloomier than usual. Ireton rushed forward to open the wicket for him.

"No Blueskin, I perceive, sir," he observed, in a deferential tone, as Wild entered the Lodge.

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No," replied Jonathan, moodily. "I've been deceived by false information. But the wench who tricked me shall bitterly repent it. I hope this is all. I began to fear I might be purposely got out of the way. Nothing has gone wrong here?"

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Nothing whatever," replied Ireton. "Jack is just gone

back to the Condemned Hold. His two wives have been here." "Ha!" exclaimed Jonathan, with a sudden vehemence that electrified the chief turnkey; "what's this!-a spike gone!— 'Sdeath! the women, you say, have been here. He has escaped."

"Impossible, sir," replied Ireton, greatly alarmed.

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Impossible!" echoed Wild, with a fearful imprecation. "No, sir, it's quite possible-more than possible. It's certain. I'll lay my life he's gone. Come with me to the Condemned Hold directly, and, if I find my fears confirmed, I'll—”

He was here interrupted by the sudden entrance of the black, who rushed precipitately into the room, letting fall the heavy bunch of keys in his fright.

"O Massa Ireton! Massa Wild!" ejaculated Caliban,"Shack Sheppart gone!"

"Gone! you black devil!-Gone?" cried Ireton.

"Iss, Massa. Caliban sarch ebery hole in de place, but Shack no dere. Only him big hoss padlock-noting else."

"I knew it," rejoined Wild, with concentrated rage; "and he escaped you all-in broad day-before your faces. You may well say it's impossible! His Majesty's gaol of Newgate is admirably guarded, I must say. Ireton, you are in league with him."

"Sir!" said the chief turnkey, indignantly.

"You are, sir," thundered Jonathan; "and, unless you find him, you shan't hold your place a week. I don't threaten idly, as you know. And you, Austin, and you, Langley, — I say the same thing to you."

"But, Mr. Wild-" implored the turnkeys.

"I've said it," rejoined Jonathan, peremptorily. "And you, Marvel, you must have been a party-"

"I, sir!

"If he's not found, I'll get a new hangman."

"Zounds!" cried Marvel," I—”

"Hush!" whispered the tapstress," or I retract my pro

mise."

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"Mrs. Spurling," said Jonathan, who overheard the whisper, you owe your situation to me. If you have aided Jack Sheppard's escape, you shall owe your discharge to me also."

"As you please, sir," replied the tapstress, coolly. "And the next time Captain Darrell wants a witness, I promise you he shan't look for one in vain."

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