I wouldn't keep an apprentice to set my authority at defiance." Mr.Wood's reply, if he intended any, was cut short by a loud knocking at the door.
"'Odd's-my-life!--what's that ?" he cried, greatly alarmed.
"It's Jonathan Wild come back with a troop of constables at his heels, to search the house," rejoined Mrs.Wood, in equal trepidation.

"We shall all be murdered.

Oh! that Mr.Kneebone were here to protect me!" "If it _is_ Jonathan," rejoined Wood, "it is very well for Mr.Kneebone he's not here.

He'd have enough to do to protect himself, without attending to you.

I declare I'm almost afraid to go to the door.
Something, I'm convinced, has happened to the boys." "Has Jonathan Wild been here to-day ?" asked Mrs.Sheppard, anxiously.
"To be sure he has!" returned Mrs.Wood; "and Blueskin, too.