The girls and Smith were all bending over the imposing stone, where the forms of the paper were being made up.
"Here," said West, taking a revolver from his pocket and laying it on the table; "I'm afraid there may be an attack on this office in a few minutes, for I understand the language of those strikers and have been listening to them.

If any of the mill hands attempt to break into this room don't be afraid to shoot." "Why should the men wish to attack us, sir ?" asked Patsy wonderingly.
"There are several reasons.

They're after Smith, for one thing.

They've an old grudge against him to settle.

Aside from the mere matter of revenge I overheard one of them telling his friends to smash the press and keep the paper from coming out, and Mr.Boglin would pay them well for the job." Smith carelessly thrust the revolver into his hip pocket.
"The paper will come out if Mr.Wegg gives us the power," he said.
"Can you let me have a revolver, Mr.West ?" asked Hetty.
"Could you use it ?" "I think so." He looked at her a moment and then took a second revolver from his pocket.
"I've robbed my hardware stock," he said with a smile.