Jack Sheppard: A Romance, Vol. 3 (of 3)

of the attempt upon its life; and, though he failed in obtaining any information on this point, he had little difficulty in eliciting such particular

ha! ha! Won't do, though. He must be a sly fox to get out of the Mint without my knowledge. I've a shrewd guess where he's taken refuge; but I'll ferret him out. These bloods

progress, however, was checked by loud acclamations, annou

he was a pleasant fellow; a combination of qualities by no means of rare occurrence. So far as regards his attire, Baptist was not seen to advantage. No great lover of state or state costume at any time, he was generally, towards the close of an evening, completely in dishabille, and in this condition he now presented himself to his subjects. His shirt was unfaste

is demeanour forbidden any such supposition. It consisted of a close jerkin of brown frieze, ornamented with a triple row of brass buttons; loose Dutch slops, made very wide in the seat and very tight at the knees; red stockings with black clocks, and a fur cap. The own

alwart fellows, with white badges in their hats, quarterstaves, oaken

ry he had just learnt from Wood, omitting nothing except a few trifling particulars, which he thought it politic to keep back; and, with this view, he said no

his nose, and, twirling his fingers significantly, winked at his phlegmatic companion. The gentleman appealed to shook his head in reply, coughed

, that it certainly was a very perplexing case, but that he thought something might be made of it

nd hollandsche genever. Dese ere not schouts, as you faind, but jonkers on a vrolyk; and if dey'd chanshed to keel de vrow Sheppard's pet lamb, dey'd have done her a servish, by shaving it from dat unpleasant compl

it's quite out of the question. With Baptist Kettleby, to engage in a matter is to go through with it. Besides, this is an affair which no one but myself can settle. Common offences may be decided upon by deputy; but outrages perpetrated by men of rank, as these appear

eeding from cow's horns, tin canisters filled with stones, bladders and cat-gut, with other sprightly, instruments, was struck up

is truncheon authoritatively against th

a mallet from a bystander and burst open the door. Followed by Van Galgebrok and others of his retinue, he then rus

ades," cried the Ma

oined Blueskin with a tremendous impre

ley with the gentlemen before proceedi

ly," he added, staring at Rowland, "e

Rowland with a gesture of silence; "it is

n't come too late," observed the Master. "But

eplied Rowland. "But clear the room of this rabble, if you

learing it, your worship,

owland. "Give them what y

in a loud tone; "the gentlemen and I ha

manded Sir Cecil. "How have you cont

nt," answered Rowland. "We may trust him," he added in

r; "these gentlemen would be private. They'

e after that individual, but

might have helped me out of a difficulty, had any occurred. Hark ye, Blueskin," continued he, addressing that personage, who, in obedience to his c

under he had obtained from her among his companions, "how should I know? D'ye suppose I'm always thinking of the petticoa

, "but rather seemed to shun observation; and, from the hasty gl

was the widow Sheppard,"

didn't think of her. And no

urned Blueskin, i

am arrest; and, if he don't tip the cole without m

mes down to the last grig. We'll lather him with mud, shave him with a rusty razor, and drench

nd Sir Cecil, who had watched his proceedings with much impatience, and remarked, "Now, g