At present, he is under the protection of Jonathan Wild." "Does that villain still maintain his power ?" asked the stranger sternly.
"He does," replied Kneebone, "and, what is more surprising, it seems to increase.

Jonathan completely baffles and derides the ends of justice.
It is useless to contend with him, even with right on your side.

Some years ago, in 1715, just before the Rebellion, I was rash enough to league myself with the Jacobite party, and by Wild's machinations got clapped into Newgate, whence I was glad to escape with my head upon my shoulders.

I charged the thief-taker, as was the fact, with having robbed me, by means of the lad Sheppard, whom he instigated to deed, of the very pocket-book he produced in evidence against me; but it was of no avail--I couldn't obtain a hearing.

Mr.Wood fared still worse.
Bribed by a certain Sir Rowland Trenchard, Jonathan kidnapped the carpenter's adopted son, Thames Darrell, and placed him in the hands of a Dutch Skipper, with orders to throw him overboard when he got out to sea; and though this was proved as clear as day, the rascal managed matters so adroitly, and gave such a different complexion to the whole affair, that he came off with flying colours.