“Have you got Jonathan out of the way?” he asked, in an eager whisper.

“Yes, yes,” replied Edgeworth Bess.  “Patience Kite has lured him to Enfield on a false scent after Blueskin.  You need fear no interruption from him, or any of his myrmidons.”

“That’s well!” cried Jack.  “Now stand before me, Poll.  I’ve got the watch-spring saw in my sleeve.  Pretend to weep both of you as loudly as you can.  This spike is more than half cut through.  I was at work at it yesterday and the day before.  Keep up the clamour for five minutes, and I’ll finish it.”

Thus urged, the damsels began to raise their voices in loud lamentation.

“What the devil are you howling about?” cried Langley.  “Do you think we are to be disturbed in this way?  Make less noise, hussies, or I’ll turn you out of the Lodge.”

“For shame, Mr. Langley,” rejoined Mrs. Spurling:  “I blush for you, Sir!  To call yourself a man, and interfere with the natural course of affection!  Have you no feeling for the situation of those poor disconsolate creatures, about to be bereaved of all they hold dear?  Is it nothing to part with a husband to the gallows?  I’ve lost four in the same way, and know what it is.”  Here she began to blubber loudly for sympathy.

“Comfort yourself, my charmer,” said Mr. Marvel, in a tone intended to be consolatory.  “I’ll be their substitute.”

“You!” cried the tapstress, with a look of horror:  “Never!”

“Confusion!” muttered Jack, suddenly pausing in his task, “the saw has broken just as I am through the spike.”

“Can’t we break it off?” replied Mrs. Maggot.

“I fear not,” replied Jack, despondingly.

“Let’s try, at all events,” returned the Amazon.

And grasping the thick iron rod, she pushed with all her force against it, while Jack seconded her efforts from within.  After great exertions on both parts, the spike yielded to their combined strength, and snapped suddenly off.

“Holloa—­what’s that?” cried Austin, starting up.

“Only my darbies,” returned Jack, clinking his chains.

“Oh! that was all, was it?” said the turnkey, quietly reseating himself.

“Now, give me the woollen cloth to tie round my fetters,” whispered Sheppard.  “Quick.”

“Here it is,” replied Edgeworth Bess.

“Give me your hand, Poll, to help me through,” cried Jack, as he accomplished the operation.  “Keep a sharp look out, Bess.”

“Stop!” interposed Edgeworth Bess; “Mr. Langley is getting up, and coming this way.  We’re lost.”

“Help me through at all hazards, Poll,” cried Jack, straining towards the opening.

“The danger’s past,” whispered Bess.  “Mrs. Spurling has induced him to sit down again.  Ah! she looks this way, and puts her finger to her lips.  She comprehends what we’re about.  We’re all safe!”

“Don’t lose a moment then,” cried Jack, forcing himself into the aperture, while the Amazon, assisted by Bess, pulled him through it.