Sir Rowland looked bewildered with surprise.

“The marriage was never consummated,” continued the imperturbable stranger.  “Sir Cecil is no more.  Lady Trafford, supposed to be childless, broken in health and spirits, frail both in mind and body, is not likely to make another marriage.  The estates must, ere long, revert to Sir Rowland.”

“Are you man, or fiend?” exclaimed Trenchard, staring at the stranger, as he concluded his narration.

“You are complimentary, Sir Rowland,” returned the other, with a grim smile.

“If you are human,” rejoined Trenchard, with stern emphasis, “I insist upon knowing whence you derived your information?”

“I might refuse to answer the question, Sir Rowland.  But I am not indisposed to gratify you.  Partly, from your confessor; partly, from other sources.”

“My confessor!” ejaculated the knight, in the extremity of surprise; “has he betrayed his sacred trust?”

“He has,” replied the other, grinning; “and this will be a caution to you in future, how you confide a secret of consequence to a priest.  I should as soon think of trusting a woman.  Tickle the ears of their reverences with any idle nonsense you please:  but tell them nothing you care to have repeated.  I was once a disciple of Saint Peter myself, and speak from experience.”

“Who are you?” ejaculated Trenchard, scarcely able to credit his senses.

“I’m surprised you’ve not asked that question before, Sir Rowland.  It would have saved me much circumlocution, and you some suspense.  My name is Wild—­Jonathan Wild.”

And the great thief-taker indulged himself in a chuckle at the effect produced by this announcement.  He was accustomed to such surprises, and enjoyed them.

Sir Rowland laid his hand upon his sword.

“Mr. Wild,” he said, in a sarcastic tone, but with great firmness; “a person of your well-known sagacity must be aware that some secrets are dangerous to the possessor.”

“I am fully aware of it, Sir Rowland,” replied Jonathan, coolly; “but I have nothing to fear; because, in the first place, it will be to your advantage not to molest me; and, in the second, I am provided against all contingencies.  I never hunt the human tiger without being armed.  My janizaries are without.  One of them is furnished with a packet containing the heads of the statement I have just related, which, if I don’t return at a certain time, will be laid before the proper authorities.  I have calculated my chances, you perceive.”

“You have forgotten that you are in my power,” returned the knight, sternly; “and that all your allies cannot save you from my resentment.”