ABSTRACT
After the termination of the proceedings at the “Saint Crispin,” as stated in the last chapter, the Luddites left the inn in the same stealthy manner in which they had entered it. The dark, moonless night was in their favour, but still they did not venture to leave the house in a body. They knew that the authorities had been warned that illegal meetings were held in some part of the town, and were in consequence just at that time more than usually watch ful; they therefore dropped out singly or in twos and threes, so that no one—even if watching the place-would have suspected anything unusual. As their homes were in many cases widely apart they were soon scattered over all parts of the town, or having oleared the more populous quarters, were trudging along the dark, quiet roads that led into the country beyond. Leaving the rest of the delegates to their own devices, we will follow two who are walking steadily on along the highway and anon through green lanes and fields, until, after a journey extending over about an hour, they suddenly pause at a very poor looking cottage which stands a little from the main road, between Elland and Brighouse. All appears quiet in and around the little house, and it seems as if the inmates have retired to rest. After 62looking at the windows for a short time, one of the two travellers taps gently at the door. There is no response, and, after listening for a moment, he knocks smartly with his knuckles. Still all remains quiet in the interior for a brief space; then there is a slight shuffling of feet, and by and by, a cloth which stops up one of the broken panes being removed, a woman in a weak, frightened voice asks,
