“Nothing more. These workmen, in whose lot you are so interested, are full of deceit and treachery; they never show their real motives. Well, the dyers, in their secret meetings, rail at your inventions—they are displeased with your new dyeing processes!”
“Ah! The fools!”
An expression of triumph appeared on Cardez’s ill-tempered face.
“What did I tell you! Here are processes they are not yet acquainted with; and they maintain that your object is to simplify the workmanship, and, consequently, to do without workmen. Now they want to strike, to obtain concessions regarding both work and wages.”
“They have been ill-advised. When the real state of things is explained they will easily understand. Then they will see that, far from injuring them, the improvements I shall introduce into the manufacture are entirely to their advantage.”
“They will never admit that.”
“Suppose I prove it to them?”
“Their ringleaders will prove the contrary.”
“Who are these ringleaders?”
“A few Belgians.”