Oh, what a relief! It was like life to me, and going to one window I found that they could only see the heap of coals.
From the other windows there was no better view. Even from the room over the water-wheel there was no chance of a glimpse of the trap.
I could not stop up there, for I was all of a fret, and at last, screwing up my nerves to the sticking point, I went down determined to go boldly into the grinder’s shop, and see if Stevens was there.
What an effort it was! I have often wondered since whether other boys would have suffered what I did under the circumstances, or whether I was a very great coward.
Well, coward or no, I at last went straight into the grinder’s shop, and there was the plashing rumble of the great water-wheel beyond the door, the rattle of the bands and the whirr and whirl and screech of the grindstones as they spun round, and steel in some form or other was held to their edge.
There were half a dozen faces I knew, and there was Gentles ready to smile at me with his great mouth and closed eyes.
But I could only just glance at him and nod, for to my horror Stevens’ wheel was not going, and there was no one there.
I felt the cold sweat gather all over my face, and a horrible sensation of dread assailed me; and then I turned and hurried out of the building, so that my ghastly face and its changes should not be seen.
For just then I saw Stevens rise up from behind his grindstone with an oil-can in his hand—he had been busy oiling some part or other of the bearings.