e, "what's
wrong with you? At least, I need not ask that. You have quarrelled
with your old friend and employer, for no reason, and it's no end of a
pity, I can assure you. You will not mind my speaking out plainly like
this, as man to man, for I have known you a long time now; and besides,
I'm under a debt to you for helping me that night."

"Humph!" said the man again.

"Now," said the artist, "has all this sulking done you any good?"

"Good!" growled the man. "Good! No. There has been no good in my
life. I have slaved it all away for a thankless taskmaster."

"Bah!" said the artist, with a laugh. "Mr Willows a taskmaster! Why,
it's too absurd! He's one of the very best men that ever lived; and in
your heart of hearts you know it, Drinkwater. You know it quite well."

"I want revenge," said the man.

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the artist. "Revenge! Why, Drinkwater, it's
really funny. Revenge! What are you going to do? Blow up the mill?"

"Eh?" said the man, shifting uneasily in his seat and turning to stare
at his companion. "Blow up the mill? What, me?"

"There, there," said Manners, "I didn't mean it. It was only a joke.
Think it over, Drinkwater. Think it over," he continued, as the man
rose; and the artist held out his hand, but whether it was the darkness
which prevented his seeing the gesture, or for some other reason, the
hand was not taken, and a moment later the man had entered the cottage,
while the artist got up to follow him, for it was very late and he was
tired.

"What has he got in his head?" he mused. "I don't like his manner at
all."

CHAPTER TWELVE.

ON THE WATCH.

Josh and the Vicar were down at the mill in good time the next morning,
to find Will and his father in the bright sunshine under a cloudless
sky, on the bank overlooking the wide pool, and, just as they reached
them, with a hearty "Good-morning!" Manners came up.

Overhead, all was bright and clear, and, from Nature's newly washed
face, a fresh, sweet scent rose into the air; but the lower part of the
valley seemed quite transformed. Sluices and waterfalls were gushing
down everywhere, making for the main stream, which added to the general
roar of water as it rushed along, racing for the overcharged river far
away.

Every moment some fresh sign of the mischief which had been done by the
flood glided by. The stream was no longer crystal-like and clear, but
turgid with the soil swept from high up the