"You were no doubt surprised by the unlooked-for intelligence I sent you of your nephew's return ?" "Was it _unlooked-for_ on your part ?" demanded the knight, distrustfully.
"On my soul, yes," rejoined Jonathan.

"I should as soon have expected the bones of Tom Sheppard to reunite themselves and walk out of that case, as Thames Darrell to return.

The skipper, Van Galgebrok, affirmed to me,--nay, gave me the additional testimony of two of his crew,--that he was thrown overboard.

But it appears he was picked up by fishermen, and carried to France, where he has remained ever since, and where it would have been well for him if he had remained altogether." "Have you seen him ?" asked Trenchard.
"I have," replied Wild; "and nothing but the evidence of my senses would have made me believe he was living, after the positive assurance I received to the contrary.

He is at present with Mr.Wood,--the person whom you may remember adopted him,--at Dollis Hill, near Willesden; and it's a singular but fortunate circumstance, so far as we are concerned, that Mrs.Wood chanced to be murdered by Blueskin, the fellow who just left the room, on the very night of his return, as it has thrown the house into such confusion, and so distracted them, that he has had no time as yet for hostile movements." "And what course do you propose to pursue in reference to him ?" asked Sir Rowland.
"My plan is a very simple one," rejoined the thief-taker smiling bitterly.