“Sir!” exclaimed Winifred.

“You will make me the happiest of mankind,” cried the woollen-draper, falling on his knees, and seizing her hand, which he devoured with kisses.

“Let me go,” cried Winifred.  “I disbelieve the whole story you have told me.”

“By Heaven!” cried Kneebone, with increasing fervour, “it is true—­as true as my affection for you.”

“I do not doubt it,” retorted Winifred, scornfully; “because I attach credit neither to one nor the other.  If Thames is murdered, you are his assassin.  Let me go, Sir.”

The woollen-draper made no answer, but hastily starting up, bolted the door.

“What do you mean?” cried Winifred in alarm.

“Nothing more than to obtain a favourable answer to my suit,” replied Kneebone.

“This is not the way to obtain it,” said Winifred, endeavouring to reach the door.

“You shall not go, adorable girl,” cried Kneebone, catching her in his arms, “till you have answered me.  You must—­you shall be mine.”

“Never,” replied Winifred.  “Release me instantly, or I will call my father.”

“Do so,” replied Kneebone; “but remember the door is locked.”

“Monster!” cried Winifred.  “Help! help!”

“You call in vain,” returned Kneebone.

“Not so,” replied Jack, throwing down the skreen.  “Release her instantly, villain!”

Both Winifred and her suitor started at this sudden apparition.  Jack, whose clothes were covered with dust, and whose face was deathly pale from his recent exertion, looked more like a phantom than a living person.

“In the devil’s name, is that you, Jack!” ejaculated Kneebone.

“It is,” replied Sheppard.  “You have uttered a wilful and deliberate falsehood in asserting that I have murdered Thames, for whom you well know I would lay down my life.  Retract your words instantly, or take the consequences.”

“What should I retract, villain?” cried the woollen-draper, who at the sound of Jack’s voice had regained his confidence.  “To the best of my belief, Thames Darrell has been murdered by you.”

“A lie!” exclaimed Jack in a terrible tone.  And before Kneebone could draw his sword, he felled him to the ground with the iron bar.

“You have killed him,” cried Winifred in alarm.

“No,” answered Jack, approaching her, “though, if I had done so, he would have merited his fate.  You do not believe his statement?”

“I do not,” replied Winifred.  “I could not believe you capable of so foul a deed.  But oh! by what wonderful chance have you come hither so seasonably?”

“I have just escaped from Newgate,” replied Jack; “and am more than repaid for the severe toil I have undergone, in being able to save you.  But tell me,” he added with much anxiety, “has nothing been heard of Thames since the night of my former escape?”

“Nothing whatever,” answered Winifred.  “He left Dollis Hill at ten o’clock on that night, and has not since returned.  My father has made every possible inquiry, and offered large rewards; but has not been able to discover the slightest trace of him.  His suspicions at first fell upon you.  But he has since acquitted you of any share in it.”