'What is this tale—this mystery—that my brother and the doctor seem to be picking up?'
'Sir, I know no more than you have heard me say. I witnessed her attack on Mr. Henry Hunter.'
'I should like to know further about it: about her. Will you——Hush! here comes my brother back again. Hush!'
His voice died away in the faintest whisper, for Mr. Henry Hunter was already within the room. Was Mr. Hunter suspecting that his brother had more cognisance of the affair than he seemed willing to avow? The thought, that it must be so, crossed Austin Clay; or why that warning 'hush' twice repeated?
It happened that business was remarkably brisk that season at Hunter and Hunter's. They could scarcely get hands enough, or the work done. And when Austin explained the cause which had brought him to town, and frankly proffered the question of whether they could recommend him to employment, they were glad to offer it themselves. He produced his credentials of capacity and character, and waited. Mr. Henry Hunter turned to him with a smile.
'I suppose you are not above your work, Mr. Clay?'
'I am not above anything in the world that is right, sir. I have come to seek work.'
He was engaged forthwith. His duties at present were to lie partly in the counting-house, partly in overlooking the men; and the salary offered was twenty-five pounds per quarter.
'I can rise above that in time, I suppose,' remarked Austin, 'if I give satisfaction?'
Mr. Hunter smiled. 'Ay, you can rise above that, if you choose. But when you get on, you'll be doing, I expect, as some of the rest do.'