No sooner had they entered the room than Sharples, who waited to usher them in, hastily retreated, closed the door, and turning the key, laughed loudly at the success of his stratagem.

Vexation at his folly in suffering himself to be thus entrapped kept Wood for a short time silent.

When he could find words, he tried by the most urgent solicitations to prevail upon the constable to let him out.

But threats and entreaties--even promises were ineffectual; and the unlucky captive, after exhausting his powers of persuasion, was compelled to give up the point.
The room in which he was detained--that lately occupied by the Mohocks, who, it appeared, had been allowed to depart,--was calculated to inspire additional apprehension and disgust.

Strongly impregnated with the mingled odours of tobacco, ale, brandy, and other liquors, the atmosphere was almost stifling.