“Silence, Blueskin!” interposed an authoritative voice, immediately behind the ruffian.  “Let me have a word with the cull!”

“Ay! ay!” cried several of the bystanders, “let Jonathan kimbaw the cove.  He’s got the gift of the gab.”

The crowd accordingly drew aside, and the individual, in whose behalf the movement had been made immediately stepped forward.  He was a young man of about two-and-twenty, who, without having anything remarkable either in dress or appearance, was yet a noticeable person, if only for the indescribable expression of cunning pervading his countenance.  His eyes were small and grey; as far apart and as sly-looking as those of a fox.  A physiognomist, indeed, would have likened him to that crafty animal, and it must be owned the general formation of his features favoured such a comparison.  The nose was long and sharp, the chin pointed, the forehead broad and flat, and connected, without any intervening hollow, with the eyelid; the teeth when displayed, seemed to reach from ear to ear.  Then his beard was of a reddish hue, and his complexion warm and sanguine.  Those who had seen him slumbering, averred that he slept with his eyes open.  But this might be merely a figurative mode of describing his customary vigilance.  Certain it was, that the slightest sound aroused him.  This astute personage was somewhat under the middle size, but fairly proportioned, inclining rather to strength than symmetry, and abounding more in muscle than in flesh.

It would seem, from the attention which he evidently bestowed upon the hidden and complex machinery of the grand system of villany at work around him, that his chief object in taking up his quarters in the Mint, must have been to obtain some private information respecting the habits and practices of its inhabitants, to be turned to account hereafter.

Advancing towards Wood, Jonathan fixed his keen gray eyes upon him, and demanded, in a stern tone whether the persons who had taken refuge in the adjoining house, were bailiffs.

“Not that I know of,” replied the carpenter, who had in some degree recovered his confidence.

“Then I presume you’ve not been arrested?”

“I have not,” answered Wood firmly.

“I guessed as much.  Perhaps you’ll next inform us why you have occasioned this disturbance.”

“Because this child’s life was threatened by the persons you have mentioned,” rejoined Wood.

“An excellent reason, i’ faith!” exclaimed Blueskin, with a roar of surprise and indignation, which was echoed by the whole assemblage.  “And so we’re to be summoned from our beds and snug firesides, because a kid happens to squall, eh?  By the soul of my grandmother, but this is too good!”

“Do you intend to claim the privileges of the Mint?” said Jonathan, calmly pursuing his interrogations amid the uproar.  “Is your person in danger?”

“Not from my creditors,” replied Wood, significantly.