il Davis down-stairs."

Jael colored a little, but bared her left arm at command.

"Good heavens!" cried Little. "What a limb! Why mine is a shrimp
compared with it."

"Ay, mine has the bulk, but yours the pith."

"Oh, come; if your left arm did that, what must your right be?"

"Oh," said Jael, "you men do every thing with your right hand; but we
lasses know no odds. My left is as strong as my right, and both at your
service."

"Then come along with me."

He took her into the "Experiment Room," explained the machine to her,
gave her a lesson or two; and so simple was the business that she soon
mastered her part of it; and Little with his coat off, and Jael, with
her noble arms bare, ground long saws together secretly; and Little,
with Bolt's consent, charged the firm by the gross. He received
twenty-four pounds per week, out of which he paid Jael six, in spite
of her "How can a lass's work be worth all that?" and similar
remonstrances.

Being now once more a workman, and working with this loyal lass so many
hours a day, his spirits rose a little, and his nerves began to recover
their tone.

But meantime Hill was maturing his dark design.

In going home, Little passed through one place he never much liked, it
was a longish close, with two sharp rectangular turns.

Since he was threatened by the trade, he never entered this close
without looking behind him. He did not much fear an attack in front,
being always armed with pistols now.

On a certain night he came to this place as usual, went as far as the
first turn, then looked sharply round to see if he was followed; but
there was nobody behind except a woman, who was just entering the court.
So he went on.

But a little way down this close was a small public-house, and the
passage-door was ajar, and a man watching. No sooner was Little out of
sight than he emerged, and followed him swiftly on tiptoe.

The man had in his hand a weapon that none but a Hillsborough cutler
would have thought of; yet, as usual, it was very fit for the purpose,
being noiseless and dangerous, though old-fashioned. It was a long
strong bow, all made of yew-tree. The man fitted an arrow to this, and
running lightly to the first turn, obtained a full view of Little's
retiring figure, not fifteen yards distant.

So well was the place chosen, that he had only to discharge his weapon
and then run back. His victim could never see him.

He took a deliberate aim at Little's back, dr