out and seen it put up myself. And then I had to scold him again
for not covering the luggage properly with the tarpaulin, without which
protection it would, some of it at least, have been damaged, as a steady
rain was falling. I don't know when I have been more put out, and
really I felt ashamed of myself afterwards. However, all was right in
the end; the luggage was all safe and uninjured, and I had a prosperous
journey."

"I'll wish you good morning, sir," said Thomas Bradly to the doctor, as
they entered the station yard. "A pleasant journey to you, sir; and
there'll be many of us working-men as'll be very proud to see and hear
you again in Crossbourne."

"Farewell, my good friend," said the other. "I shall look forward with
much pleasure to the fulfilment of my promise."

A few minutes more, and Dr and Mrs Prosser were on their way back to
the great city.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

CONFESSION AND EXPLANATION.

When Edward Taylor's accident and its cause were known in Crossbourne,
the consternation caused among the enemies of religion and of the
temperance cause was indescribable. Thomas Bradly made no secret of
what had happened, and of how Foster's persecutors had been outwitted:
not in any revengeful spirit, but partly because he thought it better
that the plain truth should be known, and so the mouths of the marvel-
mongers be stopped; and partly because he felt sure that the enemy would
keep pretty still when they knew that their late proceedings were blazed
abroad. So he just quietly told one or two of his fellow-workmen all
the particulars, without note or comment, and left the account to do its
own work.

Nor could there be any doubt as to the result. Never had there been
such "a heavy blow and great discouragement" to the infidel party as
this. Not only was there a storm of indignation poured out upon the
heads of the conspirators by the more sober-minded working-men,--for it
took no very shrewd guessing to find out who had been Ned Taylor's
companions in the heartless and cruel outrage,--but even those who might
have secretly applauded had the plot been successful, were eager to join
in the general expressions of disgust and reprobation now that it had
failed; for nothing meets with such universal and remorseless execration
as unsuccessful villainy. There were also those who never lost an
opportunity of chaffing the unfortunate delinquents; while, to complete
their mortification and discomf