good circumstances, and well known to the keeper of the madhouse, by whom
he had been employed on former occasions of the same nature. Perhaps his
fidelity to his employer, reinforced by the hope of many future jobs of
that kind, might have been proof against the offer of fifty pounds; but
double that sum was a temptation he could not resist. He no sooner read
the intimation in the Daily Advertiser, over his morning's pot at an
alehouse, than he entered into consultation with his own thoughts; and,
having no reason to doubt that this was the very fare he had conveyed, he
resolved to earn the reward, and abstain from all such adventures in time
coming. He had the precaution, however, to take an attorney along with
him to Mr. Clarke, who entered into a conditional bond; and, with the
assistance of his uncle, deposited the money, to be forthcoming when the
conditions should be fulfilled. These previous measures being taken, the
coachman declared what he knew, and discovered the house in which Sir
Launcelot had been immured. He, moreover, accompanied our two adherents
to a judge's chamber, where he made oath to the truth of his information;
and a warrant was immediately granted to search the house of Bernard
Shackle, and set at liberty Sir Launcelot Greaves, if there found.

Fortified with this authority, they engaged a constable, with a
formidable posse, and, embarking them in coaches, repaired with all
possible expedition to the house of Mr. Shackle, who did not think proper
to dispute their claim, but admitted them, though not without betraying
evident symptoms of consternation. One of the servants directing them,
by his master's order, to Sir Launcelot's apartment, they hurried
upstairs in a body, occasioning such a noise as did not fail to alarm the
physician, who had just opened the door to retire, when he perceived
their irruption. Captain Crowe conjecturing he was guilty from the
confusion that appeared in his countenance, made no scruple of seizing
him by the collar as he endeavoured to retreat; while the tender-hearted