“Say no more,” said Mr. Holdfast: “your name shall not appear. And--let me see--does your mother know you work here?” “Yes, she does.” “Then we had better keep Cheetham's name out as well.” “Oh, thank you, sir, thank you. Now I'll answer any questions you like.” “Well, then, I hear this outrage was preceded by several letters. Could I see them?” “Certainly. I carry mine always in my pocket, for fear my poor mother should see them: and, Mr. Bayne, you have got Cheetham's.” In another minute the whole correspondence was on the table, and Mr. Holdfast laid it out in order, like a map, and went through it, taking notes. “What a comedy,” said he. “All but the denouement. Now, Mr. Bayne, can any other manufacturers show me a correspondence of this kind?” “Is there one that can't? There isn't a power-wheel, or a water-wheel, within eight miles of Hillsborough, that can't show you just such a correspondence as this; and rattening, or worse, at the tail of it.” Mr. Holdfast's eye sparkled like a diamond. “I'll make the round,” said he. “And, Mr. Little, perhaps you will be kind enough to go with me, and let me question you, on the road. I have no sub-editor; no staff; I carry the whole journal on my head. Every day is a hard race between Time and me, and not a minute to spare.” Mr. Cheetham was expected at the works this afternoon: so Henry, on leaving Mr. Holdfast, returned to them, and found him there with Bayne, looking, disconsolately, over a dozen orders for carving-tools. “Glad to see you again, my lad,” said Cheetham. “Why, you look all the better.” “I'm none the worse, sir.” “Come to take your balance and leave me?” This was said half plaintively, half crossly. “If you wish it, sir.” “Not I. How is it to be?” “Well, sir, I say to you what you said to me the other day, Stick to me, and I'll stick to you.” “I'll stick to you.” Bayne held up his hands piteously to them both. “What sir?” faltered he, turning to Cheetham, “after all your experience!” then to Henry, “What, fight the Trades, after the lesson they have given you?” “I'll fight them all the more for that,” said Henry, grinding his teeth; “fight them till all is blue.” “So will I. That for the Trades!” “Heaven help you both!” groaned Bayne, and looked the picture of despair. “You promised me shutters, with a detonator, sir.” “Ay, but you objected.” “That was before they blew me up.” “Just so. Shutters shall be hung to-morrow; and the detonators I'll fix myself.” “Thank you, sir. Would you mind engaging a watchman?” “Hum? Not--if you will share the expense.” “I'll pay one-third.” “Why should I pay two thirds? It is not like shutters and Bramah locks: they are property. However, he'll be good against rattening; and you have lost a fortnight, and there are a good many orders. Give me a good day's work, and we won't quarrel over the watchman.” He then inquired, rather nervously, whether there was anything more.