Part 26 (1/2)

”Haven't you heard how they ground me down?”

”Yes, sir. But why did you give in? I was true to you, but you failed me. I'd have shut up the works for three months, rather than be made a slave of, and go from my word.”

”Ay, ay; that's bachelor's talk. I've got a wife and children, and they make a man a mouse.”

”Well, sir, I forgive you: but as to my month's wages--now all I say is--PUT YOURSELF IN MY PLACE!”

”Well?”

”You are me. You are brought from London, under an agreement, a month's notice on either side. You work, and give satisfaction. You are threatened, but you don't run from your employer. You are blown up, and nearly killed. You lose a fortnight, but you don't charge for it; 'twasn't your employer's fault. You come back to him, and face the music again. You work with the sword hanging over you. But your employer gives in, and sacks you in a minute. Oughtn't you to have your month? Come now, man to man, oughtn't you?”

”I ought, and that's the truth. I didn't look at it that way. I saw my own side. There--no more about it--I'll draw the check--with a good heart.”

He drew his check-book to him, with a face as if vultures were tearing his vitals.

When Henry found him Amboynable, and saw his piteous look, he felt a little softened toward him, and he said, very impressively, ”Wait one moment, sir, I've got an idea. I'm not the sort that likes to be beat.

Are YOU?” The men looked steadily at each other.

Cheetham lowered his voice. ”I've had h.e.l.l inside me ever since. I thought I was a man, but they made a mouse of me. If you know any way to beat them, I'll go in with you.”

”Well, sir, there is a key to every lock.”

”That is well said, and I believe it; but one can't always find the key.”

”I almost think I have, sir.”

”See n.o.body is listening. Where is Bayne? He is due.”

”Oh, he is not very well, sir; and I was to ask you for an hour's absence.”

”Let him have the whole afternoon. I'll not have a soul in this but us two. Now come close, and tell me.”

They sat opposite each other, and put their heads together over the table, and the following dialogue pa.s.sed almost in a whisper. To see them, you would have thought they were conspiring against the law, instead of combining to hide a lawful act from the violaters of the law.

”I can forge the blades a dozen miles from Hillsborough.”

”Not you; you will be told of. That won't do.”

”I shall not be told of; for n.o.body will know but you. I shall only forge at night; and the building is out of the world, and wedged in, out of sight, between two bleak hills. Sir, it is a deserted church.”

”What, forge blades in a church?”

”A deserted church; why not?”

”Little, you are A 1. Go on.”

”I can get the blades ground by a friend at Birmingham; and my mother and I can put them together at home. The complete articles will come to you in parcels of a certain colored paper, invoiced in cipher outside, so that they need not be opened; you can trust the invoice, and dispatch them to your London agent.”

”All right.”

”The steel you must supply me at the current price, and charge it against me.”