"What! the famous housebreaker. I thought he was in Newgate."
"He's let out for a few hours," laughed Kneebone; "but he's going back again after supper."
"Oh, dear! how I should like to see him. I'm told he's so handsome."
"I'm sorry I can't indulge you," replied her master, a little piqued. "I shall want nothing more. You had better go to bed."
"It's no use going to bed," answered Rachel. "I shan't sleep a wink while Jack Sheppard's in the house."
"Keep in your own room, at all events," rejoined Kneebone.
"Very well," said Rachel, with a toss of her pretty head, "very well. I'll have a peep at him, if I die for it," she muttered, as she went out.
Mr. Kneebone, then, sat down to await the arrival of his expected guest. Half an hour passed, but Jack did not make his appearance. The woollen-draper looked at his watch. It was eleven o'clock. Another long interval elapsed. The watch was again consulted. It was now a quarter past twelve. Mr. Kneebone, who began to feel sleepy, wound it up, and snuffed the candles.
"I suspect our friend has thought better of it, and won't come," he remarked.
"Have a little patience, Sir," rejoined the jailer.