He therefore painfully
hobbled along, clinging to Atkins, but sustained in his
efforts by an indomitable spirit.
"Here you are, sir," said Atkins, turning on the light and
revealing the workshop. "A fine plant, isn't it?"
"It is, indeed," said Jennings, glancing up to the rough roof
where five or six lamps blazed like suns, "and a nice
hiding-place they found. I'll sit here and look round,
Atkins."
He dropped into a chair near the bench and stared at the
cellar. It was large, and built of rough stones, so that it
looked like a prison cell of the Bastille. The floor was of
beaten earth, the roof of brick, built in the form of an arch,
and the door was of heavy wood clamped with iron. The
brilliant illumination enabled Jennings to see everything,
even to the minutest detail of the place.
In one corner were three large dynamos, and in another a
smelting pot, and many sheets of silver and copper. Also,
there were moulds of gutta-percha arranged to hold coins in
immersion. On a bench were a number of delicate tools and a
strong vice. Jennings also saw various appliances for making
coins. On rough deal shelves ranged round the walls stood
flasks and jars containing powders, with tools and a great
many chemicals. Also there were piles of false money, gold
and silver and copper, and devices for sweating sovereigns.
In a safe were lumps of gold and silver. Beside it, a bath
filled with some particular liquid used in the trade.
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