nd to.'

'Come to think of it,' continued Newman after a pause, 'I believe the
firm used to give all their blind work to old Latham, the venetian
blind maker. Prap's they'll give 'im this lot to do.'

'Very likely,' replied Philpot, 'I should think 'e can do 'em cheaper
even than us chaps, and that's all the firm cares about.'

How far their conjectures were fulfilled will appear later.

Shortly after Bert was gone it became so dark that it was necessary to
light the candles, and Philpot remarked that although he hated working
under such conditions, yet he was always glad when lighting up time
came, because then knocking off time was not very far behind.

About five minutes to five, just as they were all putting their things
away for the night, Nimrod suddenly appeared in the house. He had come
hoping to find some of them ready dressed to go home before the proper
time. Having failed in this laudable enterprise, he stood silently by
himself for some seconds in the drawing-room. This was a spacious and
lofty apartment with a large semicircular bay window. Round the ceiling
was a deep cornice. In the semi-darkness the room appeared to be of
even greater proportions than it really was. After standing thinking
in this room for a little while, Hunter turned and strode out to the
kitchen, where the men were preparing to go home. Owen was taking off
his blouse and apron as the other entered. Hunter addressed him with a
malevolent snarl:

'You can call at the office tonight as you go home.'

Owen's heart seemed to stop beating. All the petty annoyances he had
endured from Hunter rushed into his memory, together with what Easton
had told him that morning. He stood, still and speechless, holding his
apron in his hand and staring at the manager.

'What for?' he ejaculated at length. 'What's the matter?'

'You'll find out what you're wanted for when you get there,' returned
Hunter as he went out of the room and away from the house.

When he was gone a dead silence prevailed. The hands ceased their
preparations for departure and looked at each other and at Owen in
astonishment. To stand a man off like that--when the job was not half
finished--and for no apparent reason: and of a Monday, too. It was
unheard of. There was a general chorus of indignation. Harlow and
Philpot especially were very wroth.

'If it comes to that,' Harlow shouted, 'they've got no bloody right to
do it! We're entitled to an hour's n