CHAPTER XXI. What befell Jack Sheppard in the Turner's House. Jack was scarcely concealed when the door opened, and the two persons of whom he had caught a glimpse below entered the room. What was his astonishment to recognise in the few words they uttered the voices of Kneebone and Winifred! The latter was apparently in great distress, and the former seemed to be using his best efforts to relieve her anxiety. "How very fortunate it is," he observed, "that I happened to call upon Mr. Bird, the turner, to give him an order this evening. It was quite an unexpected pleasure to meet you and your worthy father." "Pray cease these compliments," returned Winifred, "and, if you have any communication to make, do not delay it. You told me just now that you wished to speak a few words to me in private, concerning Thames Darrell, and for that purpose I have left my father below with Mr. Bird and have come hither. What have you got to say?" "Too much," replied Kneebone, shaking his head; "sadly too much." "Do not needlessly alarm me, I beseech you," replied Winifred. "Whatever your intelligence may be I will strive to bear it. But do not awaken my apprehension, unless you have good cause for so doing.--What do you know of Thames?--Where is he?" "Don't agitate yourself, dearest girl," rejoined the woollen-draper; "or I shall never be able to commence my relation." "I am calm--perfectly calm," replied Winifred. "Pray, make no further mystery; but tell me all without reserve." "Since you require it, I must obey," replied Kneebone; "but prepare yourself for a terrible shock." "For mercy's sake, go on!" cried Winifred. "At all hazards then then you shall know the truth," replied the woollen-draper, in a tone of affected solicitude,--"but are you really prepared?" "Quite--quite!" replied Winifred. "This suspense is worse than torture." "I am almost afraid to utter it," said Kneebone; "but Thames Darrell is murdered." "Murdered!" ejaculated Winifred. "Basely and inhumanly murdered, by Jack Sheppard and Blueskin," continued Kneebone. "Oh! no--no--no," cried Winifred, "I cannot believe it. You must be misinformed, Mr. Kneebone. Jack may be capable of much that is wicked, but he would never lift his hand against his friend,--of that I am assured." "Generous girl!" cried Jack from behind the skreen. "I have proofs to the contrary," replied Kneebone. "The murder was committed after the robbery of my house by Sheppard and his accomplices. I did not choose to mention my knowledge of this fact to your worthy father; but you may rely on its correctness." "You were right not to mention it to him," rejoined Winifred, "for he is in such a state of distress at the mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Sheppard, that I fear any further anxiety might prove fatal to him. And yet I know not--for the object of his visit here to-night was to serve Jack, who, if your statement is correct, which I cannot however for a moment believe, does not deserve his assistance."