A very perceptible change overspread the countenance of Mr. Mackintosh when he heard these words. He shook his head with great vehemence, and looked strongly disposed to laugh Grimaldi, who was one of the simplest creatures in all worldly matters that ever breathed, paused for a reply, but finding his acquaintance said nothing, added, "Besides,--the ladies. Dear me, Mr. Mackintosh, the appearance of those gentlemen's wives would be almost enough to acquit you at once." "Mr. Grimaldi," said Mackintosh, with a slight tremor in his voice which, despite his serious situation, arose from an incipient tendency to laughter, "Mr. Grimaldi, none of those women are married." Grimaldi stared incredulously. "Not one," said Mackintosh: "they only pass for married people--they are not really so." "Then how," said Grimaldi, waxing very angry, "how dared you to invite my wife among them, and induce me to take her there!" "I'm very sorry, sir," said the man, humbly. "I'll tell you what, sir," interposed the other, "I'll be put off no longer: this is not the time for secrecy and falsehood, nor is it your interest to tell me anything but the truth. Now, I demand to know at once the real characters of these people, and why you shook your head when I mentioned your bringing them forward as witnesses." "Mr. Grimaldi," replied the man, with great apparent humility, "they would not come if they were sent for; and besides, if they did, it would injure, not assist me, for they are all marked men." "Marked men!" exclaimed Grimaldi. "Too true, sir," said Mackintosh; "desperate characters every one." "What! Farmer?" "He was sentenced to death at the Old Bailey, and got a reprieve while standing on the drop beneath the gallows." "And Williams?" "Williams is a forger of notes." "And Jesson?" "He and Barber are both burglars." "And the Jewish-looking man,--I forget the rascal's name,--the man who sings Kelly's songs; what is he?" "Oh, he helps to pass the forged notes, and has been three times in the pillory." "There is one other man whom I have not named--that fellow Jones; what is he? a murderer?" "No sir, only a burglar," answered Mackintosh. "Don't you recollect, Mr. Grimaldi, that he would not join the party to Woolwich?" "Perfectly well." "Well, sir, the truth is, he left town for Cheshire the same day the party was proposed, and he is the man who actually committed the deed I am charged with. He did the robbery. I found it out only to-day; but, though I know it, I can't prove it now:--and all those people in Charlotte-street are doing their best to get me found guilty, and save the real man, who is better liked among them than I am."