Now it is a curious fact, and looks like animal magnetism or something, but the farm-house, to which Jael had felt so mysteriously drawn all night, contained, at that moment, besides its usual inmates, one Henry Little: and how he came there is an important part of this tale, which I must deal with at once.
While Henry was still visiting Woodbine Villa, as related above, events of a very different character from those soft scenes were taking place at the works. His liberal offer to the Edge-Tool Forgers had been made about a week, when, coming back one day from dinner to his forge, he found the smoky wall written upon with chalk, in large letters, neatly executed:—
“Why overlook the handlers?
“MARY.”
He was not alarmed this time, but vexed. He went and complained to Bayne; and that worthy came directly and contemplated the writing, in silence, for about a minute. Then he gave a weary sigh, and said, with doleful resignation, “Take the chalk, and write. There it is.”
Henry took the chalk, and prepared to write Bayne's mind underneath Mary's. Bayne dictated:
“I have offered the Handlers the same as the Forgers.”
“But that is not true,” objected Henry, turning round, with the chalk in his hand.
“It will be true, in half an hour. We are going to Parkin, the Handlers' Secretary.”
“What, another L15! This is an infernal swindle.”