five o'clock
On that morning the death warrant had arrived from Windsor , ordering Sheppard for execution , -LRB- since his capture by Jonathan Wild in Bedlam , as related in a former chapter , Jack had been tried , convicted , and sentenced to death , -RRB- together with three other malefactors on the following Friday . Up to this moment , hopes had been entertained of a respite , strong representations in his favour having been made in the highest quarter ; but now that his fate seemed sealed , the curiosity of the sight-seeing public to behold him was redoubled . The prison gates were besieged like the entrance of a booth at a fair ; and the Condemned Hold where he was confined , and to which visitors were admitted at the moderate rate of a guinea a-head , had quite the appearance of a showroom . As the day wore on , the crowds diminished , -- many who would not submit to the turnkey 's demands were sent away ungratified , -- and at five o'clock , only two strangers , Mr. Shotbolt , the head turnkey of Clerkenwell Prison , and Mr. Griffin , who held the same office in Westminster Gatehouse were left in the Lodge . Jack , who had formerly been in the custody of both these gentlemen , gave them a very cordial welcome ; apologized for the sorry room he was compelled to receive them in ; and when they took leave , insisted on treating them to a double bowl of punch , which they were now discussing with the upper jailer , Mr. Ireton , and his two satellites , Austin and Langley . At a little distance from the party , sat a tall , sinister-looking personage , with harsh inflexible features , a gaunt but muscular frame , and large bony hands . He was sipping a glass of cold gin and water , and smoking a short black pipe .