He got there just in time; and what with t' explosion,
fire-damp, and fallen coal, we never saw t' over-seer again."
"Dear me," said Monckton, "and Mr. Hope has gone down the mine expressly
to inspect old workings. Is it not a strange coincidence? Now if such an
accident was to befall Mr. Hope, it's my belief Mr. Bartley would give
you five hundred pounds."
Bartley made no reply, the perspiration was pouring down his face, and he
looked a picture of abject guilt and terror.
Monckton looked at him, and decided for him. He went softly, like a cat,
to Ben Burnley and said, "If an accident does occur, and that man never
comes up again, you are to have five hundred pounds."
"Five hundred pounds!" shouted Ben. "I do t' job. Nay, _nay_, but," said
he, and his countenance fell, "they will not let me go down the mine."
The diabolical agent went cat-like to Bartley.
"Please give me a written order to let this man go to work again in
the mine."
Bartley trembled and hesitated, but at last took out his pocket-book and
wrote on a leaf,
"Take Burnley on again.
Pages:
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363