'im 'eld the
life of my Tom in 'is two 'ands, and but for they cruel rocks that
battered 'is fore'ead would ha' throttled them rascal pushers same as
rattan in tarrier's grip; for my man 'olds there was ne'er a
fisticuffer like 'im in hall the Jackets. But, doctor! doctor! Oh,
drat the man! now 'e'll go hand wake Maister Peril, which I were
a-settin' 'ere a pu'pos' to tell 'im lad's asleep."

Impatient of longer delay, and despairing of obtaining a direct answer
to his questions, the doctor had indeed slipped into the house and
instinctively made his way up-stairs towards the only room in which a
light was burning. He was met outside the door by a warning "Sh!" from
Nelly Trefethen, who had been left on guard by her mother, and
together they entered the room where the wounded man lay tossing in
restless slumber.

The doctor started at close sight of him, and for a moment refused to
believe that the handsome, high-bred face, from which every trace of
grime and blood had been carefully removed, was that of the young
fellow who, he had declared, could never become a gentleman. Only the
evidence of his own handiwork, in shape of the bandages still swathing
Peveril's head, served to convince him that this was indeed his
patient of the shaft-house.

After a few minutes of observation he left the room, without awakening
the sleeper, and gave his directions for the night down-stairs. He
also questioned Nelly closely concerning the young man who had so
aroused his curiosity, but she could only tell him that the stranger's
name was "Peril," that he had come to Red Jacket in search of work,
had saved her brother's Tom's life, and had in consequence been given
a job in the mine.

"But he is evidently a gentleman?" said the doctor.

"Claims to be working-man," put in Mrs. Trefethen.

"He can be both, can't he, mother?" asked Nelly, somewhat sharply.
"Surely you think father is a gentleman."

"Not same as him yonder," replied the older woman, stoutly.

"Well, I don't care what he is or isn't," answered the girl, with a
toss of her pretty head, "he hasn't shown any sign yet of holding
himself above us, and Tom thinks he is just splendid. If he was here
he wouldn't hear a word said against him, I know that much."

"Save us, lass! Who's said aught 'gainst thy young man?"

"He's not my young man, mother, and you know it. Can't a girl stand up
for a stranger who saved her brother's life, and who has just been
knocked senseles