“Richard!” shrieked Eve, who tried to catch his arm; but she was flung off, and would have fallen, but for Tom Podmore, before whom she stood, screening him as she begged him to leave the house.
“Yes, Miss, I’ll go,” said Tom, smiling; “not as I’m afraid of him and his pistol. What I did he browt upon himself. I’ve done what I thowt was raight, so he must tak’ his chance. I on’y come to warn him as there’s a dozen or two of the lads as listen to Sim Slee made themselves into a gang agen him.”
“What, our workmen?” cried Eve.
“Well, only some o’ the outsiders, Miss; t’others wean’t have nowt to do wi’ it. That’s all.”
As he spoke he smiled sadly at the poor pale face before him, and then was gone.
Volume Two—Chapter Thirteen.
Podmore Seeks an Ally.
Tom Podmore walked straight away from the Big House, listening to the noise and shouting as he went to the Vicarage, where Murray Selwood was in conference with Jacky Budd, respecting certain improvements to be made in the shrubbery, when the season suited for planting.