ABSTRACT
Shortly after the events recorded in the first chapter transpired at the cropping shop of Mr. John Wood, there suddenly appeared at that establishment a man who, walking quickly up to the outer door of the building, and opening it, passed without speaking to the rest of the men, in to the room where Meilor worked. Mellor happened to be alone at the moment, and a few words were exchanged between him and his visitor, in a low tone. In a few seconds the latter again turned on his heel, made his way swiftly out of the building, and speedily disappeared in the distance. This mysterious individual was the messenger of the Halifax Luddites, and his business was to announce that a delegate from Nottingham would be passing through the town in a day or two, and would meet the leading members or delegates of the various societies in the neighbourhood, at the St. Crispin Inn, on particular business.
