“Harry wants to see you, and you must not stay out long. The wind is cold,” said Mrs. Carson.
The party went down the steps, and Ledward, carrying some papers, advanced.
“Marsden thought you would like to know all we are doing, and we made some notes about the fresh orders on which we have started at the forge. We have marked the prices and the manufacturing costs.”
Jasper took the papers and was quiet for some minutes. Then he nodded.
“It looks as if I’m not indispensable! When do you go back?”
“I ought to get the afternoon train. Simmonds calls me to London; he’s bothered about the recent Canadian contract, and in the morning he’ll give me particulars. If he lets me go soon, I might be back to report before you go to bed to-morrow.”
“You earn your pay,” said Jasper. “Do you and Marsden agree?”
“On the whole——” said Ledward, and stopped.
“Marsden jars? Well, he’s my forge manager. A rough dog, but stanch. Since you have got to work with him, you must use some tact.”
For a time they talked about the forge, and Ledward heard the others in a path behind a beech hedge. He thought somebody had arrived, but the dead leaves still clung to the branches and he did not know who it was. By and by he said: “The Savile Tube Company are issuing new shares. The prospectus is attractive, and Marsden states the tubes are first-class. What would you think about a speculation, sir?”