Before returning he went up to his partner's house. He asked for Miss Ffrench and was shown into the room where she sat writing letters. She neither looked pleased nor displeased when she saw him, but rose to greet him at once. She gave him a rather long look. "What is the matter?" she asked. Suddenly he felt less bold. The heat of his excitement failed to sustain him. He was all unstrung. "I've come to tell you not to go out," he said. "There's trouble afoot--in the trade. There's no knowing how it'll turn out. There's a lot of chaps in th' town who are not in th' mood to see aught that'll fret 'em. They're ready for mischief, and have got drink in 'em. Stay you here until we see which way th' thing's going." "Do you mean," she demanded, "that there are signs of a strike?" "There's more than signs of it," he answered, sullenly. "Before night the whole place will be astir." She moved across the room and pulled the bell. A servant answered the summons instantly. "I want the carriage," she said. Then she turned to Haworth with a smile of actual triumph. "_Nothing_ would keep me at home," she said. "I shall drive through the town and back again. Do you think I will let them fancy that _I_ am afraid of them?" "You're not afraid?" he said, almost in a whisper. "I afraid?" she answered, "_I_?" "Wait here," she added. She left the room, and in less than ten minutes returned. He had never before seen in her the fire he saw then. There was a spark of light in her eyes, a color on her cheek. She had chosen her dress with distinct care for its luxurious richness. His exclamation, as she entered buttoning her long, delicate glove, was a repressed oath. He exulted in her. His fear for her was gone, and only this exultation remained. "You've made up your mind to that?" he said. He wanted to make her say more. "I am going to see your mother," she answered. "That will take me outside of the town, then I shall drive back again--slowly. They shall understand me at least." She let him lead her out to the carriage, which by this time was waiting. After she was seated in it, she bent forward and spoke to him. "Tell my father where I am going and why," she said. CHAPTER XXVIII. A SPEECH. "When he returned to the Works the noon-bell was ringing, and the hands were crowding through the gates on their way to their midday meal. Among those going out he met Floxham, who spoke to him as he passed. "Theer's some o' them chaps," he said, "as wunnot show their faces again." "Aye," said Haworth, "I see that." Ffrench had left the bank and was pacing up and down his room panic-stricken. "What have you heard?" he exclaimed, turning as Haworth entered. "Is it--is it as bad as you expected?" "Aye," said Haworth, "worse and better too." "Better?" he faltered. Haworth flung himself into a chair. He wore a look of dogged triumph. "Leave 'em to me," he answered. "I'm in th' mood fur 'em _now_."