Jack submitted to this scrutiny with a very bad grace, and vehemently protested his innocence.

In vain did the woollen-draper offer to set him free if he would restore the stolen article, or give up his associate, to whom it was supposed he might have handed it.

He answered with the greatest assurance, that he knew nothing whatever of the matter--had seen no pocket-book, and no associate to give up.

Nor did he content himself with declaring his guiltlessness of the crime imputed to him, but began in his turn to menace his captor and accuser, loading the latter with the bitterest upbraidings.

By this time, the churchyard was crowded with spectators, some of whom dispersed in different directions in quest of the other robber.