“Here’s a door,” remarked Ireton, when he got to that nearest the leads, “which I could have sworn would have resisted anything.  I shall have no faith in future in bolts and bars.”

Mounting the roof of the prison, they traced the fugitive’s course to the further extremity of the building, where they found his blanket attached to the spike proving that he escaped in that direction.

After severely examining Austin, and finding it proved, on the testimony of his fellow-jailers, that he could not have aided Jack in his flight, Jonathan retracted his harsh sentence, and even went so far as to say that he would act as mediator between him and the governor.

This was some satisfaction to the poor fellow, who was dreadfully frightened, as indeed he might well be, it being the opinion of the jailers and others who afterwards examined the place, that Jack had accomplished, single-handed, in a few hours, and, as far as it could be ascertained, with imperfect implements, what it would have taken half a dozen men several days, provided with proper tools, to effect.  In their opinion a hundred pounds would not repair the damage done to the prison.

As soon as Jack’s escape became known, thousands of persons flocked to Newgate to behold his workmanship; and the jailers reaped am abundant harvest from their curiosity.

Jonathan, meanwhile, maintained profound secrecy as to his hopes of capturing the fugitive; and when Jack was brought back to Newgate on the Sunday evening, his arrival was wholly unexpected.

At a little after five, on that day, four horses dashed round the corner of the Old Bailey, and drew up before the door of the Lodge.  Hearing the stoppage, Austin rushed out, and could scarcely believe his eyes when he beheld Jack Sheppard in the custody of Quilt Arnold and Abraham Mendez.

Jack’s recapture was speedily made known to all the officers of the jail, and the Lodge was instantly crowded.  The delight of the turnkeys was beyond all bounds; but poor Mrs. Spurling was in a state of distraction and began to abuse Jonathan so violently that her future husband was obliged to lay forcible hands upon her and drag her away.

By Wild’s command the prisoner was taken to the Condemned Hold, whither he was followed by the whole posse of officers and by the partners; two of whom carried large hammers and two the fetters.  There was only one prisoner in the ward.  He was chained to the ground, but started up at their approach.  It was Blueskin.  When he beheld Jack he uttered a deep groan.

“Captain,” he cried, in a voice of the bitterest anguish, “have these dogs again hunted you down?  If you hadn’t been so unlucky, I should have been with you before to-morrow night.”

Jack made no answer, nor did he even cast his eyes upon his follower.  But Jonathan, fixing a terrible look upon him, cried.

“Ha! say you so?  You must be looked to.  My lads,” he continued, addressing the partners; “when you’ve finished this job give that fellow a fresh set of darbies.  I suspect he has been at work upon those he has on.”