"There has been no discovery at all."
"It was thought to be Mr. Timothy Wilks, I believe."
"It was certainly not he," said Richard, rather hastily.
"No! He had at least something to do with the mischief, if he did not write the letter."
"Yes. But without intending evil. The next to leave the home here may be myself," he added.
"You!"
"Of course you have heard that our works are at a standstill? The men have struck."
"That's old news: I heard it in Switzerland."
"If we are not able to reopen them--and I begin to think we shall not be--I must go out into the world and seek employment elsewhere."
"Nonsense!"