The days glided by; the weals on my face changed colour and began to fade, while the cut on my head grew less painful. I was thrown a good deal with Mary, for no work had been set me in the office, and Mr Blakeford kept his bed, being regularly attended by the doctor. I found--Mary being my informant--that there was to be quite a serious case made of it, and Mrs Blakeford had told her that I was to be an important witness to the assault. A fortnight had passed; and as I sat alone day after day in the office thinking of a plan that had suggested itself to my mind, but fearing to put it into execution, I had two visitors who completely altered my career in life. The first came one morning as I was writing a letter to my uncle--a letter destined never to reach him--in the shape of the big farmer, Mr Wooster, who rapped sharply at the office door, and gazed sternly at me as I opened it and stood in the little passage. "Where's Blakeford?" he said sharply. "Ill in bed, sir," I said. "It's a lie, you young rascal," he cried, catching me by the collar. "Here, how old are you?" "Thirteen, sir." "And you can tell lies like that, eh? and without blushing?" "It is not a lie, sir," I said stoutly. "Mr Blakeford hasn't been down since--since--" "I thrashed him, eh?" he said, laughing. "It was a good thrashing too, eh, youngster? But, hallo! what's the matter with your head?" "A cut, sir." "What! Did you tumble down?" "No, sir. It was done the day you--you beat Mr Blakeford." "How?" I was silent. "He--he didn't dare to do it, did he?" I was still silent. "Look here, youngster, tell me the truth and I'll give you a shilling." "I never told a lie yet, sir," I said stoutly, "and I don't want your shilling." He looked at me intently for a few moments, and then held out his hand. "Shake hands," he said. I placed mine in his, and he squeezed it so that he hurt me, but I did not flinch. "I believe you, my lad. You don't look like a lying sort, and I wish you were out of this. Now, tell me, did he make that cut on your head?" I nodded. "What with?" "That ruler." "Humph! And what for?" "Because I let you in on that day." "Hang him!" he cried, striding up and down the office, for he had walked straight in, "he's a bigger scoundrel than I thought him. Now, look here, my man, there's going to be an action, or a trial, or something, against me, and you'll be the principal witness. Now, what are you going to do?" "Going to do, sir?" "Yes," he said impatiently; "you'll have to appear before the magistrates, and you'll be asked all about my thrashing your master. What are you going to say?" "I shall tell them the truth, sir." "No, you won't, my boy. You'll say what Mr Blakeford tells you to say." "I shall tell the truth, sir," I said stoutly. "Look here, my lad, if you tell the truth, that's all I want; if you don't, you'll ruin me." "I'm sure I shall tell the truth, sir," I said, colouring up and speaking earnestly.