Part 36 (1/2)

We stood looking at each other for some time, and then he said in his rough way:

”It aren't no doing o' mine, lad, and I don't like it. It aren't manly.

One o' the mesters did owt to me as I didn't like I'd go up to him and ask him to tek off his coat like a man and feight it out, or else I'd go away; but man can't do as he likes i' Arrowfield. He has to do what trade likes.”

”And it was the trade who threw our bands away, and tried to blow us up, and half-poisoned me and Piter.”

”Hah!” he said with a sigh. ”That's it, lad.”

”Ah, well, I didn't expect you'd tell me, Pannell,” I said, smiling.

”You see I can't, my lad. Now can I?”

”No; it wouldn't be honourable. But I say, Pannell, I mean to do all I can to find out who plays us these dirty tricks.”

The big smith looked about him before speaking again.

”Don't, my lad,” he whispered. ”Yow might get hurt, and I shouldn't like that i'deed.”

”Oh, I won't get hurt!” I said. ”Look here, Pannell, do you see this?”

”Ay, lad. Trap for the rats. I've sin scores on em.”

”We set them to catch the rats,” I said, hesitating a moment or two before making my venture. ”I say, Pannell,” I said, ”we're very good friends you and I.”

”Course we are, lad; for a Londoner you're quite a decent chap.”

”Thank you,” I said, smiling. ”Well, on the quiet, I want you to do me a favour.”

”Long as it aren't to tell on my mates, lad, I'll do owt for you.

There!”

That _there_ was as emphatic as a blow from his hammer on the anvil.

”I thought you would, Pannell,” I said. ”Well, look here. My uncles are as good and kind-hearted men as ever lived.”

”And as nyste to work for as ever was,” said Pannell, giving an emphatic bang on his work as he hammered away.

”Well, I'm very fond of them,” I said.

”Nat'rally, lad, nat'rally.”

”And as I know they're trying to do their best for everybody who works for them, as well as for themselves, so as to find bread for all--”

I stopped just then, for the big smith's face was very red, and he was making a tremendous clangour with his hammer.

”Well,” I said, ”it worries me very much to see that every now and then a big rat gets to their sack of wheat and gnaws a hole in it and lets the grain run out.”

”Where do they keep their wheat?” said Pannell, leaving off for awhile.

”Here,” I said.