on the premises by your own hands.

"We assure you it would be more to your interest to work in harmony
with the smiths and the handle-makers in your employ, and the trade
generally. Yours respectfully,

"THE COMMITTEE OF THE EDGE-TOOL FORGERS' UNION."

Henry colored up at this, and looked grieved; but he said, "I am sorry
to be the cause of any unpleasantness. But what can I do?"

"Oh," said Bayne, with a sardonic grin, "they are sure to tell you that,
soon or late. Read this:"

No. 2 was dated a week later, and ran thus:

"MR. CHEETHAM: SIR,--I think you do very ill to annoy a many craftsmen
for one. Remember, you have suffered loss and inconvenience whenever
you have gone against Trades. We had to visit you last year, and when
we came your bands went and your bellows gaped. We have no wish to come
again this year, if you will be reasonable. But, sir, you must part with
London hand, or take consequences.

"BALAAM."

Henry looked grave. "Can I see a copy of Mr. Cheetham's reply?"

Bayne stared at him, and then laughed in his face, but without the
gayety that should accompany a laugh. "Cheetham's reply to Balaam! And
where would he send it? To Mr. Beor's lodgings, No. 1 Prophet Place, Old
Testament Square. My poor chap, nobody writes replies to these letters.
When you get one, you go that minute to the secretary of whatever Union
you are wrong with, and you don't argue, or he bids you good-morning;
you give in to whatever he asks, and then you get civility; and justice
too, according to Trade lights. If you don't do that, and haven't
learned what a blessing Peace is, why, you make up your mind to fight
the Trade; and if you do, you have to fight them all; and you are safe
to get the worst of it, soon or late. Cheetham has taken no notice of
these letters. All the worse for him and you too. Read that."

No. 3 ran thus:

"DEAR SIR,--I take the liberty of addressing you on the subject of your
keeping on this knobstick, in defiance of them that has the power to
make stones of Hillsborough too hot for you and him. Are you deaf, or
blind, or a fool, Jack Cheatem? You may cheat the world, but you don't
cheat the devil, nor me. Turn cockney up, with no more ado, or you'll
both get kicked to hell some dark night by

"BALAAM'S ASS."

Henry was silent; quite silent. When he did speak, it was to ask why Mr.
Cheetham had kept all this from him.

"Because you shouldn't take fright and leave him," was the u