“Well, Tom was ta’en badly as you know, and when he couldn’t get t’ price he wanted for his business he let on that scheme ’at put it i’ t’ long run into Baldwin’s hands. It’s trewth I’m telling you when I say ’at he’d made dead certain ’at I should get it, for he knew I’d a better headpiece than Baldwin; but he reckoned to want what he called ‘fairation’ so he gave us both the same chance. “I’m coming now to t’ point I set out for. Baldwin did well; but I should ha’ beaten him hand over hand if I hadn’t happened my accident, and Baldwin saw it. That accident, lad, was planned for me——!” Jagger uttered an exclamation of dismay and rose from his seat, with anger flashing from his eyes. Maniwel’s voice had been quite calm and low, and he did not raise it now. “Sit down, lad, and keep your hand on t’ brake! Remember, what I’m telling you now is a trust. Twelve months since you’d have been t’ last I should ha’ spoken to, for this meat’s over strong for babes; but you’re a man now. “I say it was planned, and that’s all I’m going to tell you, and it’s all you need to know. He isn’t aware ’at I fun him out, and he isn’t going to be tell’d. He’s hugged his sin about wi’ him all these years, and nob’dy knows but his-self what he’s suffered.” “Suffered!” Jagger’s tone was as low as his father’s, but charged with unbelief and contempt. “It’s _you_ that’s suffered, you and us,—aye—and Nancy too! I could screw the dirty devil his neck round when I look at that empty sleeve! You shouldn’t ha’ told me if you want me to keep my hands off him!” “When you’ve finished blowing t’ steam off I’ll go on,” said his father. “I reckoned I should upset you a bit, and it’s naught but nat’ral, but you must hear me out. I _know_ he’s suffered—why, he turned again’ me from that very moment and couldn’t bide me in his sight; and though he couldn’t fashion but take you on it must ha’ cost him summat to see you i’ your father’s place. Them at wrote t’ Owd Book knew what they were talking about, lad. They didn’t say ’at sin was sure to be fun out; but ‘be sure your sin’ll find _you_ out!’ and you may bet on’t ’at Baldwin’s fun _him_ out long sin’.” Jagger grunted, and his father smiled.