"No! no! give it me!" vociferated Wood, snatching the pistol, and rushing to the door, against which he placed his back.
"I'll soon settle this business. Jonathan Wild!" he added, in a loud voice, "I command you to release your prisoner."
"So I will," replied Jonathan, who, with Blueskin's aid, had succeeded in slipping a pair of handcuffs over the woollen-draper's wrists, "when I've Mr. Walpole's order to that effect—but not before."
"You'll take the consequences, then?"
"Willingly."
"In that case I arrest you, and your confederate, Joseph Blake, alias Blueskin, on a charge of felony," returned Wood, brandishing his staff; "resist my authority, if you dare."
"A clever device," replied Jonathan; "but it won't serve your turn. Let us pass, Sir. Strike the gag, Blueskin."
"You shall not stir a footstep. Open the window, Thames, and call for assistance."
"Stop!" cried Jonathan, who did not care to push matters too far, "let me have a word with you, Mr. Wood."
"I'll have no explanations whatever," replied the carpenter, disdainfully, "except before a magistrate."