sewing-machine. Similar to these,
but varying in size, are the bands in a factory. They may be broad flat
leather straps of great weight and size, formed by sewing many lengths
together, or they may be string-like cords of twisted catgut. They all
come under the same name, and there were scores in our works connecting
the shaft wheels of the main shaft turned by the water-power with the
grindstones of the lower floor and the lathes and polishers of the
upper. By these connections wheel, stone, and chuck were set
spinning-round. Without them everything was at a stand-still.

As we walked down between the grindstones it was plain enough to see--
every wheel-band had been cut.

It was the same upstairs--broad bands and cords all had been divided
with a sharp knife, and Uncle Bob held a piece of whetstone in his hand
which had been thrown down by the door, evidently after being used by
the miscreant who had done this cowardly trick.

As we went upstairs and saw the mischief there the men followed us like
a flock of sheep, waiting to see what we should do, for they were
perforce idle. Only the smiths could work, for by accident or oversight
the band which connected the shaft with the blowing apparatus had
escaped, and as we stood there by the office door we could hear the
_clink clink_ of the hammers upon the anvils and the pleasant roar of
each forge.

"Hallo! What's this?" cried Uncle Jack as he caught sight of something
white on the office door, which proved to be a letter stuck on there by
a common wooden-handled shoemakers' knife having been driven right
through it.

"I did not see that before," said Uncle Bob excitedly.

"No, because it was not there," said Uncle Jack. "I should have seen it
if it had been there when I came out of the office first."

"And _I_ am sure that I should have seen it," said Uncle Bob.

The letter was opened and read by Uncle Jack, who passed it on to his
brothers.

They read it in turn, and it was handed to me, when I read as follows:

"_This hear's the nif as coot them weel-bans. Stope makhin noo kine
steel, or be strang and bad for wurks_."

"Come in the office and let's talk it over," said Uncle Bob. "This must
have been placed here by someone in the works."

"Yes," said Uncle Jack bitterly. "It is plain enough: the wheel-bands
have been cut by one of the men who get their living by us, and who take
our pay."

"And you see the scoundrel who wrote that letter