"And you my warning," retorted Wild. "Good night!" "Blueskin," whispered Jack, in his natural tones, as the other passed him, "wait without." "Power o' mercy!" cried Blueskin starting. "What's the matter?" demanded Jonathan, harshly. "Nothin'--nothin'," returned Blueskin; "only I thought--" "You saw the hangman, no doubt," said Jack. "Take courage, man; it is only Quilt Arnold. Come, make yourself scarce. Don't you see Mr. Wild's busy." And then he added, in an under tone, "Conceal yourself outside, and be within call." Blueskin nodded, and left the room. Jack affected to close the door, but left it slightly ajar. "What did you say to him?" inquired Jonathan, suspiciously. "I advised him not to trouble you farther about Jack Sheppard," answered the supposed janizary. "He seems infatuated about the lad," observed Wild. "I shall be obliged to hang him to keep him company. And now, Sir Rowland," he continued, turning to the knight, "to our own concerns. It's a long time since we met, eight years and more. I hope you've enjoyed your health. 'Slife! you are wonderfully altered. I should scarcely have known you." The knight was indeed greatly changed. Though not much passed the middle term of life, he seemed prematurely stricken with old age. His frame was wasted, and slightly bent; his eyes were hollow, his complexion haggard, and his beard, which had remained unshorn during his hasty journey, was perfectly white. His manner, however, was as stern and haughty as ever, and his glances retained their accustomed fire. "I did not come hither to consult you as to the state of my health, Sir," he observed, displeased by Jonathan's allusion to the alteration in his appearance. "True," replied Wild. "You were no doubt surprised by the unlooked-for intelligence I sent you of your nephew's return?" "Was it _unlooked-for_ on your part?" demanded the knight, distrustfully. "On my soul, yes," rejoined Jonathan. "I should as soon have expected the bones of Tom Sheppard to reunite themselves and walk out of that case, as Thames Darrell to return. The skipper, Van Galgebrok, affirmed to me,--nay, gave me the additional testimony of two of his crew,--that he was thrown overboard. But it appears he was picked up by fishermen, and carried to France, where he has remained ever since, and where it would have been well for him if he had remained altogether." "Have you seen him?" asked Trenchard.