“I should think not,” observed Jonathan, who had some practice in the knight's moods, and knew how to humour him. “It's a miserable weakness to be afraid of bloodshed.--The general who gives an order for wholesale carnage never sleeps a wink the less soundly for the midnight groans of his victims, and we should deride him as a coward if he did. And life is much the same, whether taken in battle, on the couch, or by the road-side. Besides those whom I've slain with my own hands, I've brought upwards of thirty persons to the gallows. Most of their relics are in yonder cases; but I don't remember that any of them have disturbed my rest. The mode of destruction makes no difference. It's precisely the same thing to me to bid my janizaries cut Thames Darrell's throat, as to order Jack Sheppard's execution.” As Jonathan said this, Jack's hand involuntarily sought a pistol. “But to the point,” continued Wild, unconscious of the peril in which the remark had placed him,--“to the point. On the terms that procured your liberation from Newgate, I will free you from this new danger.” “Those terms were a third of my estate,” observed Trenchard bitterly. “What of that,” rejoined Jonathan. “Any price was better than your head. If Thames Darrell escapes, you will lose both life and property.” “True, true,” replied the knight, with an agonized look; “there is no alternative.” “None whatever,” rejoined Wild. “Is it a bargain?” “Take half of my estate--take all--my life, if you will--I am weary of it!” cried Trenchard passionately. “No,” replied Jonathan, “I'll not take you at your word, as regards the latter proposition. We shall both, I hope, live to enjoy our shares--long after Thames Darrell is forgotten--ha! ha! A third of your estate I accept. And as these things should always be treated as matters of business, I'll just draw up a memorandum of our arrangement.” And, as he spoke, he took up a sheet of paper, and hastily traced a few lines upon it. “Sign this,” he said, pushing the document towards Sir Rowland. The knight mechanically complied with his request. “Enough!” cried Jonathan, eagerly pocketing the memorandum. “And now, in return for your liberality, I'll inform you of a secret with which it is important you should be acquainted.” “A secret!” exclaimed Trenchard. “Concerning whom?” “Mrs. Sheppard,” replied Jonathan, mysteriously. “Mrs. Sheppard!” echoed Jack, surprised out of his caution. “Ah!” exclaimed Wild, looking angrily towards his supposed attendant. “I beg pardon, Sir,” replied Jack, with the accent and manner of the janizary; “I was betrayed into the exclamation by my surprise that anything in which Sir Rowland Trenchard was interested could have reference to so humble a person as Mrs. Sheppard.”