“When a man’s been Nancy’s guardian it’s naught but right he should think of her interests. But what you say seems right enough, and I’ll take to it ’at I could like to scotch this new scheme o’ Maniwel’s. It’s true ’at I haven’t a man i’ t’ shop, bar, happen you, ’at can take Jagger’s place; and you’re a man with a head on. I must think it over; or else I had been going to say ’at I’d make you foreman.”
“That’s as you think fit,” replied Inman. “I shouldn’t care, of course, to take my orders from anyone but you; but you must please yourself. As, for these Drakes—two heads are better than one and naught ’ud give me more pleasure than to scheme against ’em.”
Baldwin concentrated his thoughts on the subject, and Inman knew better than to attempt to pursue his advantage. At length the master spoke:
“I see naught gained by sleeping on it. It’s all one to me who Nancy marries and I’m not likely to be consulted; but it ’ud go again’ t’ grain to have her marry Jagger. That being so there’s no reason why I should put my finger in your pie, to say naught about my owing you something for this morning’s do. T’ foreman’s job’s waiting, and you can have it if you’ve a mind.”
A smile crossed Inman’s lips; but Baldwin did not see it, and he was gratified by the thanks the young man offered and even more by the brisk inquiry that followed:
“And now, Mr. Briggs, let us turn to these Drakes. Running ’em to earth is a sport just to my liking. I suppose they’ve no money?”
“Maniwel’ll have a bit wi’ John Clegg,” replied Baldwin, “unless he’s had to draw it out, which I hardly think he will ha’ done. There’ll be a toathri hundred pound there, I fancy.”
“But why with John Clegg?” inquired Inman, bending puzzled brows upon his master.
“Well, you see,”—now that Inman was fellow-conspirator, Mr. Briggs was willing to indulge him with an explanation—“Tom Clegg, who had t’ business before me, always banked with his brother John, and it was through him that Maniwel and me got a chance to put our bits o’ savings in with him. John could find use for brass in his business, and pay five per cent., which was a deal better than t’other banks ’ud do. So I’ve always banked with him, same as Tom did; and I feel sure Maniwel’ll have a bit lying there.”
Inman became thoughtful, and beyond saying “I see,” made no remark for some minutes. He was wondering how he could ascertain if Nancy’s money was also in her uncle’s keeping without arousing suspicion of his motives when Baldwin answered the unspoken question.