Factories -- Fiction; London (England) -- Fiction; Love stories; Strikes and lockouts -- Fiction
“I have only a few shillings,” said Marsten, “but we must get more
somehow. None of the men has any, or they would give it. Yesterday
I could have gone to Sartwell; but to-day, unfortunately, I have
quarrelled with him, bitterly and irretrievably, I fear. Although he
said nothing to me, I can’t go to him. But there is Barnard Hope. Yes,
he’s the man. He helped Braunt when there was trouble with the police. I
don’t like to go to Barnard Hope--for certain reasons I don’t care to be
indebted to him. Would you mind going? He lives in Chelsea.”
“No. I will do anything I can. I have promised.”
“Then I would go to-night if I were you. Tomorrow is his ‘At Home’ day,
and there will be a lot of people there. It will be difficult to see
him then, and we can’t wait until the day after. His address is
Craigenputtoch House, Chelsea. If you fail, I will see his father, so
one or other of us is sure to get the money.”
“I will go at once,” said Langly.
It was a long journey to Chelsea, and when the tired organist reached
the place he found Barney had a theatre party on, with a dance to
follow, and would not likely be home that night. It was uncertain when
he would return in the morning, but he would be sure to be back at three
o’clock, as his ‘At Home’ friends would begin to gather at that hour,
so Barney’s servant said. The wearied man tramped back, and reached Rose
Garden Court about midnight. He rapped at Braunt’s door, and, receiving
no answer, pushed it open after a moment’s hesitation. He feared
the headstrong, impatient man might, after all, have carried out his
resolution, and left with his burden for the North, but he found nothing
changed. Braunt sat there with his head in his hands, and gave him no
greeting.
“I am to have the money to-morrow,” Langly said, feeling sure it would
not be refused.
Braunt made no answer, and, taking one look at the silent figure on the
bed, whose face seemed now like that of a little child, the young man
departed as quietly as he had entered.
Mrs. Scimmins met him on the stair. She wanted to know all about it.
She said that the women of the court, when they heard of the death, had
offered their help, but Braunt had acted like a brute, and had driven
them away with fearful oaths. She was sure something was wrong. The
coroner had been there, and thought so too. There was to be an inquest
at the Vestry Hall in the morning. A summons had been left for Langly to
attend and give his evidence.
“But I’m going to Chelsea in the morning,” cried the young man, aghast.
“I know nothing, except that Jessie has been ill.”
“You saw her die, they say. Braunt admitted that. You will have to
attend the inquest, or they will send a policeman after you.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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