“Yes!––that’s the why, boy.”
Next morning at six o’clock Phil, in the company of Jim Langford, presented himself at Pederstone’s forge.
“Hullo!” cried Jim, “that’s funny. Not open yet!”
The front door was heavily barred across. They went to the back entrance. It also was firmly secured.
Langford shielded his face with his hand and peered through the narrow, barred windows.
“Well, I’ll be darned!” he exclaimed. “And on your first morning, too! Hard luck, Phil!”
“Why,––what is it?”
“Oh, nothing much! Only I fancy you’re going to see why your new boss is called Wildman Hanson.
“Look in there.”
Phil did so.