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Guy tipped his head. “Can you bring us two bowls and some ale?”
The serving woman turned her attention towards Hawthorne and winked at him. “It would be my pleasure.”
Guy chuckled after she left. “I think you have an admirer.”
Hawthorne shrugged. “The only woman that I give any heed to is my wife.”
“As well you should.”
Hawthorne leaned closer to him. “Now, tell me about this young woman that someone took a shot at you over.”
“Her name is Miss Locke, and I met her while I was touring the colliery.”
“What was she doing at the coal mines?”
“She was passing out blankets and food to the children.”
Hawthorne bobbed his head in approval. “She sounds like an admirable young woman.”
“She is, but she is also an heiress.”
“You could do much worse for yourself.”
Guy put his hand up. “I have no intention of pursuing Miss Locke,” he said. “She and I are merely friends.”
“I see,” Hawthorne muttered. “Then why did someone shoot at you?”
“I am not sure,” Guy said, “however, I have been threatened to stay away from Miss Locke on multiple occasions.”
“By whom?”
“Her cousin threatened me, as did one of the bankers, and then a ruffian someone hired to scare me off.”
“Did it work?”
“No,” Guy replied, “but I haven’t been able to figure out who hired the ruffian.”
The serving woman placed two tankards of ale onto the table and walked off. As Hawthorne reached for one, he said, “As intriguing as this young woman sounds, you did not come to Anmore for Miss Locke.”
“I agree, but I used her to make progress on the case.” Guy glanced around the room to ensure no one was paying them any heed. “Because of her contacts, I have successfully infiltrated the trade union and determined who their leader is.”
“That is good.”
“The coal miners are planning to do a coordinated strike at six collieries until their demands are met,” he shared.
Hawthorne took a sip of his ale. “What are their demands?”
“They want safer work conditions for women and children and for their wages to be increased,” he replied.
“I can respect that, but there are other ways to accomplish their goals.”
“How?” Guy asked. “No one in a position to help will listen to them.”
Hawthorne eyed him curiously. “You seem rather sympathetic to their plight.”
“I’m afraid I am,” Guy said. “The pit recently collapsed, killing ten women and children.”
“I was saddened to read about that in the morning newspaper,” Hawthorne responded.
