Directly he had gone Phillip Redgill pulled out his pocket knife, and made a small wound in his arm. The blood gently flowed. With the liquid he wrote a note in a strange hand, and in a still stranger character, which ran thus, D——W——G,—By our solemn oath, help me. My former note will explain all. This night decides my fate! PHILLIP REDGILL. When Captain Jack returned, the prisoner had finished his note, and directed it with ink to— CAPTAIN GINGLES, Blue Boar, City. Strictly private and confidential. “Captain Gingles, eh? Is that the name of your friend?” “Yes.” “It’s a queer one, any way,” said Captain Jack, taking the note, and balancing it between his fingers in a musing manner. “He’s got plenty of cash, I suppose?” “Yes, lots of money—that’s why he’s called Gingles, for he’s always got his pockets well filled, and is fond of gingling it about.” “I see, I see; but what time have I to present it?” “Don’t go there before twelve o’clock to-night, for he always likes to have his wine undisturbed. You must catch him when he is coming out.” “Very good.” “And when shall I see or hear from you, Captain Jack?” “Directly I get the money—to-night, perhaps, or to-morrow morning early.” “That’s satisfactory. Give my respects to Gingles, Captain Jack.” “I shan’t fail. Keep up your courage; you will only be transported if we get the coin.” So speaking, he left the prisoner, who, strange to say, now began to smile and look quite elated. “It is my last card,” said Phillip, to himself, “and I have played it. Death-wing will surely not prove a craven to one who has so much and so often befriended him. If all goes well, I may yet escape out of the clutches of this stony-hearted Captain Jack; and if I do!” he said, clenching his fist, and striking it heavily on the table—“and if I do, I’ll have revenge on him first!” Captain Jack went his way with the note in his pocket, and as he was about to leave the prison he met the turnkey who had been speaking with Phillip. “Hello! who gave you liberty to leave the prison, eh?” “I only went across the road to have a drop of ale.” “Oh, that’s nothing, eh, you rascal? Don’t you know that your prisoner is one of the most determined villains that ever lived? Keep inside, and mind your duties, and if I catch you having any chat with Redgill, or up to any nonsense with him, such as taking letters and the like, I’ll have you publicly horsewhipped, mind ye.” “Letters?—me take letters, Captain Jack? I’d never dare to do such a thing.” “I wouldn’t trust you further than I could see you,” was the reply. “Now go and doubly lock the prisoner’s door. If he escapes I will hang you instead, mark me.” With these words Capt. Jack went his way, and he had not gone far when he entered a wine-shop. “I wonder what this Redgill has said in his note. There’s no harm in opening it. I can soon seal it up again.” So thinking he opened the note.