Mr. Wild on his guard against an assassin."

"And I shall put Blueskin on the alert against the designs of a
traitor," rejoined Smith, in a tone that sounded like a menace.

"In my opinion," remarked Kneebone, "it doesn't matter how soon society
is rid of two such scoundrels; and if Blueskin dies by the rope, and
Jonathan by the hand of violence, they'll meet the fate they merit. Wild
was formerly an agent to the Jacobite party, but, on the offer of a
bribe from the opposite faction, he unhesitatingly deserted and betrayed
his old employers. Of late, he has become the instrument of Walpole, and
does all the dirty work for the Secret Committee. Several arrests of
importance have been intrusted to him; but, forewarned, forearmed, we
have constantly baffled his schemes;--ha! ha! Jonathan's a devilish
clever fellow. But he can't have his eyes always about him, or he'd have
been with us this morning at the Mint, eh, Mr. Jackson!"

"So he would," replied the latter: "so he would."

"With all his cunning, he may meet with his match," continued Kneebone,
laughing. "I've set a trap for him."

"Take care you don't fall into it yourself," returned Jackson, with a
slight sneer.

"Were I in your place," said Smith, "I should be apprehensive of Wild,
because he's a declared enemy."

"And were I in _yours_," rejoined the woollen-draper, "I should be
doubly apprehensive, because he's a professed friend. But we're