“Hallo! There's a new cry. I tell ye what; you know too much for me. You read the Beehive. I take you at your price.”
Then he had a misgiving. “That old Smitem's as crafty as a fox. If he finds you stay here, with no visible employment, he will soon be down on us.”
“Ay; but in the day-time I shall appear as a carver of wood, and also an inspector of factories for Dr. Amboyne. Who will suspect me of a night trade, as well as two day trades?”
Cheetham slapped the table triumphantly: but, recovering his caution, he whispered, “It's planned first-rate.”
“And now, sir, there is one difficulty you must help me in, if you please. It is to set up the forge unobserved.”
“What, am I to find the forge?”
“There's a question, sir! Of course you are. One of these new portable forges.”
Cheetham reflected for some little time. He then said it was a ticklish thing, and he saw but one way. “The forge must come here, after closing hours, and you and I must fetch it away in the dead of night, and take it down to the old church, and set it up.”
“Well, but, sir, we shall want assistance.”
“Nay, nay. I've got the last suit of moleskin I ever worked in laid away. I'll air 'em, and put 'em on again; and, when I've got em on once more, I shall feel a man again. I'll have neither fool nor spy in it: the thing is too serious. I might bring some country fellow, that can't read or write; but no, these portables are small things, and I'm one of the strongest men in Hillsborough. Best keep it to ourselves. When is it to be?”