"It seems too good to be true, Mr. Henshaw." "It's the blessed truth and I
know it I don't blame you for feeling well over such an appointment, for
it is something any of us might be glad of. But you deserve it."

The appearance of Furniss checked Jack's reply. He could see the other
understood that he had lost. He had another proof of the fact before he
got home from Fret Offut, who said:

"Feel mighty stuck up, don't yer? But let me tell yer,'twon't do any
good."

This was the first time he had spoken to Jack since he had begun work in
the shops, and our hero made no reply.

The following day, as he was about to leave the shop at the close of his
work, Jack was accosted by Furniss, who asked him to assist him a moment
at the big hammer.

Jack started at once to his help, noticing that the building was
completely deserted at the time, except for the second boss and himself;
even Henshaw, who generally stayed until after the workmen had left, was
gone.

His surprise may be imagined then when he saw Fret Offut step from behind
a huge boiler as he approached. Still he did not dream of any sinister
purpose in the minds of the two, and he was about to stoop to lift a piece
of iron at the request of Furniss, when he discovered a bar of iron so
suspended over his head from the cross timber that a slight movement on
his part was sure to bring it down upon his head.