"Any price was better than your head.
If Thames Darrell escapes, you will lose both life and property." "True, true," replied the knight, with an agonized look; "there is no alternative." "None whatever," rejoined Wild.

"Is it a bargain ?" "Take half of my estate--take all--my life, if you will--I am weary of it!" cried Trenchard passionately.
"No," replied Jonathan, "I'll not take you at your word, as regards the latter proposition.

We shall both, I hope, live to enjoy our shares--long after Thames Darrell is forgotten--ha! ha! A third of your estate I accept.

And as these things should always be treated as matters of business, I'll just draw up a memorandum of our arrangement." And, as he spoke, he took up a sheet of paper, and hastily traced a few lines upon it.
"Sign this," he said, pushing the document towards Sir Rowland.
The knight mechanically complied with his request.
"Enough!" cried Jonathan, eagerly pocketing the memorandum.

"And now, in return for your liberality, I'll inform you of a secret with which it is important you should be acquainted." "A secret!" exclaimed Trenchard.