''Deed, mem, and 'tis that same I was thinkin' o',' returned Mr
McIntosh, sitting bolt upright in his chair, lest the imputation of
having been asleep should be brought against him. 'It's ill wark
seein' ye spoilin' your bonny eyes owre sic a muckle lot o' figures
as ye hae there.'

'Someone must do it,' said Madame, resuming her seat at the table.

'Then why not get a body that can dae it?' retorted Archie; 'not but
what ye canna figure yersel', mem, but really ye need a rest, and if
I hear of onyone in toun wha we can trust I'll bring him here next
week.'

'I don't see why you shouldn't,' said Madame, musingly; 'the mine is
fairly under way now, and if things go on as they are doing, I must
have someone to assist me.'

At this moment a knock came to the front door, which caused Selina
to drop her work with a sudden start, and rise to her feet.

'Not you, Selina,' said Madame, in a quiet voice; 'let Archie go; it
may be some tramp.'

''Deed no, mem,' replied Archie, obstinately, as he arose from his
seat; ''tis verra likely a man fra the warks saying he wants to go.
There's mair talk nor sense aboot them, I'm thinkin'--the yattering
parrots.'

Selina resumed her knitting in a most phlegmatic manner, but Madame
listened intently, for she was always haunted by a secret dread of