bargain. In the first place, it will be seen that the latter had
bought over one who might have proved a dangerous competitor, and now,
after fifteen years, the business that had been so laboriously built
up, mainly by Hunter's energy, industry and unscrupulous cunning,
belonged to Rushton & Co. Hunter was but an employee, liable to
dismissal like any other workman, the only difference being that he
was entitled to a week's notice instead of an hour's notice, and was
but little better off financially than when he started for the firm.

Fifteen years!

Hunter knew now that he had been used, but he also knew that it was
too late to turn back. He had not saved enough to make a successful
start on his own account even if he had felt mentally and physically
capable of beginning all over again, and if Rushton were to discharge
him right now he was too old to get a job as a journeyman. Further,
in his zeal for Rushton & Co. and his anxiety to earn his commission,
he had often done things that had roused the animosity of rival firms
to such an extent that it was highly improbable that any of them would
employ him, and even if they would, Misery's heart failed him at the
thought of having to meet on an equal footing those workmen whom he
had tyrannized over and oppressed. It was for these reasons that
Hunter was as terrified of Rushton as the hands were of himself.

Over the men stood Misery, ever threatening them with dismissal and
their wives and children with hunger. Behind Misery was Rushton, ever
bullying and goading him on to greater excuses and efforts for the
furtherance of the good cause - which was to enable the head of the
firm to accumulate money.