“And there you’re right, you may dipind, marm,” observed Terence.  “Master Thames Ditt—­what’s his blessed name?—­has honesty written in his handsome phiz; but as to his companion, Jack Sheppard, I think you call him, he’s a born and bred thief.  Lord bless you marm! we sees plenty on ’em in our purfession.  Them young prigs is all alike.  I seed he was one,—­and a sharp un, too,—­at a glance.”

“Oh!” exclaimed the widow, covering her face with her hands.

“Take a drop of brandy before we start, watchman,” said Wood, pouring out a glass of spirit, and presenting it to Terence, who smacked his lips as he disposed of it.  “Won’t you be persuaded, Joan?” he added, making a similar offer to Mrs. Sheppard, which she gratefully declined.  “If you mean to accompany us, you may need it.”

“You are very kind, Sir,” returned the widow, “but I require no support.  Nothing stronger than water has passed my lips for years.”

“We may believe as much of that as we please, I suppose,” observed the carpenter’s wife, with a sneer.  “Mr. Wood,” she continued, in an authoritative tone, seeing her husband ready to depart, “one word before you set out.  If Jack Sheppard or his mother ever enter this house again, I leave it—­that’s all.  Now, do what you please.  You know my fixed determination.”

Mr. Wood made no reply; but, hastily kissing his weeping daughter, and bidding her be of good cheer, hurried off.  He was followed with equal celerity by Terence and the widow.  Traversing what remained of Wych Street at a rapid pace, and speeding along Drury Lane, the trio soon found themselves in Kendrick Yard.  When they came to the round-house, Terry’s courage failed him.  Such was the terror inspired by Wild’s vindictive character, that few durst face him who had given him cause for displeasure.  Aware that he should incur the thief-taker’s bitterest animosity by what he had done, the watchman, whose wrath against Quilt Arnold had evaporated during the walk, thought it more prudent not to hazard a meeting with his master, till the storm had, in some measure, blown over.  Accordingly, having given Wood such directions as he thought necessary for his guidance, and received a handsome gratuity in return for his services, he departed.

It was not without considerable demur and delay on the part of Sharples that the carpenter and his companion could gain admittance to the round-house.  Reconnoitring them through a small grated loophole, he refused to open the door till they had explained their business.  This, Wood, acting upon Terry’s caution, was most unwilling to do; but, finding he had no alternative, he reluctantly made known his errand and the bolts were undrawn.  Once in, the constable’s manner appeared totally changed.  He was now as civil as he had just been insolent.  Apologizing for their detention, he answered the questions put to him respecting the boys, by positively denying that any such prisoners had been entrusted to his charge, but