The maid was leaving the room when Peg sprang up. She brushed past the astonished girl unceremoniously, and went straight to where Farrow, the manager of Heeler's, stood in the hall, nervously twisting his hat.
"What's the matter?" she asked, in her usual direct fashion.
Farrow knew Peg well, and had always had a queer sort of respect for her, in spite of the odd things which he knew had been said of her from time to time.
He answered without hesitating that there was trouble brewing down at the works, and that he had come to warn Mr. Forrester to stay at home that evening.
"I've warned him before," he added, in distress. "But I might as well have spoken to the wall."
Peg caught her breath with a little hard sound.
"Who is it, Ben Travers and his gang?" she asked.
"Yes. Ben had too much drink in the Green Man public-house, close by Heeler's, last night, and he talked, and I know that if Mr. Forrester's wise he will stay at home to-night."
"But he's gone already!" The words burst from Peg's lips in despair.
For a moment she stood staring at him, her handsome face quite colourless. Then she turned suddenly and rushed upstairs.