to cure them, by precept as well as example.

Henry assented, to gratify a person whose good-will he might require,
and to get rid of a bore. But that was not so easy; the "Gosshawk" was
full of this new project, and had a great deal to say, before he came to
the point, and offered Henry a percentage on the yearly premium of every
workman that should be insured in the "Gosshawk."

This little bargain struck, Henry was left alone; and waited for the
return of Miss Carden.

He was simple enough to hope she would come back, and have it out with
him.

She kept carefully out of his way, and, at last, he went sadly home.

"Ah," said he, "Jael gave me bad advice. I have been premature, and
frightened her."

He would go to work his own way again.

In forty-eight hours he moved into his new house, furnished it partly:
bought a quantity of mediocre wood-carving, and improved it; put
specimens in his window, and painted his name over the door. This, at
his mother's request and tearful entreaties, he painted out again, and
substituted "Rowbotham."

Nor was Rowbotham a mere nom de plume. It was the real name of Silly
Billy. The boy had some turn for carving, but was quite uncultivated:
Henry took him into his employ, fed him, and made free with his name.
With all this he found time to get a key made to fit the lock of
Cairnhope old Church.

At one o'clock on Thursday morning he came to Cheetham's works, and
scratched at the gate. A big workman opened it. It turned out to be
Cheetham himself, in a moleskin suit, and a long beard.

The forge on wheels was all ready, also a cart containing anvil,
bellows, hammers, pincers, leathern buckets, and a quantity of steel
laths. They attached the forge to the tail of the cart, and went on
their silent expedition. Cheetham drove the cart. Henry followed afar
off until they had cleared the suburbs.

They passed "Woodbine Villa." A single light was burning. Henry eyed
it wistfully, and loitered long to look at it. Something told him
that light was in her bedroom. He could hardly tear himself away from
contemplating it: it was his pole-star.

There was only one great difficulty in their way; a man on a horse might
cross the moor, but a cart must go by "Raby Hall" to reach the church:
and, before they got within a furlong of the Hall, a watch-dog began to
bark.

"Stop, sir," whispered Henry. "I expected this." He then produced some
pieces of thick felt, and tied them with strings