"I've known him all my life," replied the other.
"The devil you have! Then, perhaps, you can tell me when he intends to put his threat into execution?"
"What threat?" asked Jackson.
"Why, of hanging the fellow who acts as his jackal; one Blake, or Blueskin, I think he's called."
"You've been misinformed, Sir," interposed Smith. "Mr. Wild is incapable of such baseness."
"Bah!" returned the woollen-draper. "I see you don't know him as well as you pretend. Jonathan is capable of anything. He has hanged twelve of his associates already. The moment they cease to be serviceable, or become dangerous he lodges an information, and the matter's settled. He has always plenty of evidence in reserve. Blueskin is booked. As sure as you're sitting there, Mr. Smith, he'll swing after next Old Bailey sessions. I wouldn't be in his skin for a trifle!"
"But he may peach," said Smith casting an oblique glance at Jackson.
"It would avail him little if he did," replied Kneebone. "Jonathan does what he pleases in the courts."
"Very true," chuckled Jackson; "very true."
"Blueskin's only chance would be to carry his threat into effect," pursued the woollen-draper.