forty years' hard labour, the old
man was clothed in rags and on the verge of destitution.

'Is Rushton there?' he asked.

'Yes, I think so,' replied Crass, attempting to pass on; but the old
man detained him.

'He promised to let us know about them blinds for "The Cave". We gave
'im a price for 'em about a month ago. In fact, we gave 'im two
prices, because he said the first was too high. Five and six a set I
asked 'im! take 'em right through the 'ole 'ouse! one with
another--big and little. Two coats of paint, and new tapes and cords.
That wasn't too much, was it?'

'No,' said Crass, walking on; 'that was cheap enough!'

HE said it was too much,' continued Latham. 'Said as 'e could get 'em
done cheaper! But I say as no one can't do it and make a living.'

As he walked along, talking, between Crass and Slyme, the old man
became very excited.

'But we 'adn't nothing to do to speak of, so my son told 'im we'd do
'em for five bob a set, and 'e said 'e'd let us know, but we ain't
'eard nothing from 'im yet, so I thought I'd try and see 'im tonight.'

Well, you'll find 'im in there now,' said Slyme with a peculiar look,
and walking faster. 'Good night.'

'I won't take 'em on for no less!' cried the old man as he turned back.
I've got my livin' to get, and my son's got 'is wife and little 'uns to
keep. We can't work for nothing!'

'Certainly not,' said Crass, glad to get away at last. 'Good night,
and good luck to you.'

As soon as they were out of hearing, they both burst out laughing at
the old man's vehemence.

'Seemed quite upset about it,' said Slyme; and they laughed again.

They now left the main road and pursued their way through a number of
badly lighted, mean-looking streets, and finally turning down a kind of
alley, arrived at their destination. On one side of this street was a
row of small houses; facing these were a number of buildings of a
miscellaneous description--sheds and stables; and beyond these a plot
of waste ground on which could be seen, looming weirdly through the
dusk, a number of empty carts and waggons with their shafts resting on
the ground or reared up into the air. Threading their way carefully
through these and avoiding as much as possible the mud, pools of water,
and rubbish which covered the ground, they arrived at a large gate
fastened with a padlock. Applying the key, Crass swung back the gate
and they found themselves in a large yard filled with building
mat