CHAPTER VII.
Jack Sheppard warns Thames Darrell.
On the following night--namely Monday,--the family assembled together, for the first time since the fatal event, in the chamber to which Thames had been introduced on his arrival at Dollis Hill.

As this had been Mrs.
Wood's favourite sitting-room, and her image was so intimately associated with it, neither the carpenter nor his daughter could muster courage to enter it before.

Determined, however, to conquer the feeling as soon as possible, Wood had given orders to have the evening meal served there; but, notwithstanding all his good resolutions upon his first entrance, he had much ado to maintain his self-command.

His wife's portrait had been removed from the walls, and the place it had occupied was only to be known by the cord by which it had been suspended.

The very blank, however, affected him more deeply than if it had been left.
Then a handkerchief was thrown over the cage, to prevent the bird from singing; it was _her_ favourite canary.