When the mason attempted to return to his ordinary work he was informed that he had contravened trade usage, and that his former employers would have nothing more to say to him.

On applying for advice and assistance to the trades-union of which he was a member he received the same reply, and was further reproached for treachery to his fellow-workmen.

He returned to Trefusis to say that the tombstone job had ruined him.

Trefusis, enraged, wrote an argumentative letter to the "Times," which was not inserted, a sarcastic one to the trades-union, which did no good, and a fierce one to the employers, who threatened to take an action for libel.

He had to content himself with setting the man to work again on mantelpieces and other decorative stone-work for use in house property on the Trefusis estate.