CHAPTER IV

MYSTERY IN THE AIR

"RUSH, I owe you an apology. Had we listened to you, the company would have saved several thousands of dollars in damages that they will now have to pay," said the superintendent.

This conversation took place on the day following the accident in section twenty-four L. It had been a serious affair. The entire dome of the drift had caved in, starting from a crack in the rocks which the Iron Boy had pronounced dangerous. At the time of the cave-in, the drill-man had been operating the diamond drill. The vibration had loosened the rocks and the whole roof had collapsed. The drill-man and his assistant had been killed, and nearly every other man in the drift at the time had been injured.

The unfortunate miners were quickly dug out, Steve Rush working in the dangerous drift at the imminent risk of losing his own life, with rock and ore showering about him almost every second of the time. For a time it was feared that the whole length of the tunnel would cave in, but under the direction of the superintendent fresh pillars and lagging were quickly set in place, saving the mine from more serious disaster.

"I am afraid," continued Mr. Penton, "that the mine captain in the Red Rock will be reduced to the ranks, or dropped altogether as the result of this. It is a matter that the president will have to decide."

"I am sorry, sir, if I have been the cause of trouble for him."

"Cause? Why, if he had followed your advice the disaster would not have occurred. I have made a report of the entire matter, giving you full credit. I also want to ask if you have inspected the other drifts in your shift."

"Yes, sir."

"Do you consider them safe?"

"Yes, sir. Of course, a crack is likely to develop at any time."

"I know that. But you must keep close watch on them. I have had every foreman make a careful inspection and report on the condition of the various works. Each foreman, hereafter, is to be held personally responsible for the safety of his works, so far as man can guard against accidents."

"I am glad of that, sir."

"At the same time I wish to congratulate you on the increased production of your section. It is an object lesson for the rest of the mine. I don't imagine the other foremen are pleased with the pace you have set for them."

The end of the noon hour was at hand, so Rush hurried back and descended in the cage to the level where he was to work. Later in the afternoon he and Bob Jarvis met, their sections adjoining, thus enabling them to have frequent conversations during the day.

For a time they discussed the accident of the previous day, Steve giving his companion advice about watching the condition of the drifts.

"This is a dangerous mine at best, and I shouldn't be surprised if we had a really serious accident one of these days," said Steve.

"It strikes me that we have had one already," replied Bob.

"Yes, it was bad enough. I am not an engineer, but I have eyes. In the first place, look at the woodwork down here. Why, it's as dry as powder. It is different from the Cousin Jack Mine, where everything is damp or wet. Just look at these piles of chips and shavings. I am surprised that the officers of the company will stand for such a condition of affairs."

"It's an old mine," suggested Bob.

"Yes, that is it. The mine has been worked for twenty years and it will soon be abandoned. I presume for that reason they do not wish to spend any more money on it than is actually necessary. The roofs of the levels are pretty well shored up, but they are all settling. You can see that without half looking."

"I hope we won't have any trouble while we are working here," said Bob thoughtfully.

"So do I. It is a hazardous calling that you and I have chosen, old man. Between cave-ins, dynamite explosions, falling cages and other troubles we shall have to keep our eyes open."

"Yes, and we have got a bad lot of men about us," added Jarvis.

"The foreigners, you mean?"

Bob nodded.

"Yes, they are a choice lot of anarchists," continued Steve. "Many of them have leanings in that direction. Between the Finns, the Huns and the Italians the company has its hands full."

"It is a pity they do not clean out that crowd. These fellows will cause trouble some time."

"That is what I think. And, between you and me, Bob, something is going on in these mines."

"What do you mean?"

"Something is doing----"

"I hadn't noticed it."

"Haven't you seen the men talking in little groups, especially at the noon hour?"

"Yes, I have seen that."

"And have you noticed that, when a white man approaches, they quickly disperse?"

"Yes."

"Well, what does that mean?"

"I will confess that I hadn't attached any special significance to it, but, now that you speak of it, it does seem strange."

"That is the way the matter strikes me. It is none of our business, and yet it is. Some of our men are in the scheme, whatever it may be."

"Are you going to tell Mr. Penton?"

"No, not now," replied Rush after brief reflection. "He will tire of our running to him with every little thing. Besides, I give the superintendent credit for at least ordinary shrewdness. He undoubtedly knows what is going on just as well as we do, and perhaps a great deal better."

"What do you think they are planning, if anything?"

"It is a mystery to me, Bob, but I am going to find out. I have a right to do that so far as my own men are concerned, and so have you. It is our duty to know what is going on in our own sections."

"Then why don't you ask the men outright?" demanded Jarvis.

"That would be a foolish thing to do. By letting them think we have no suspicions we shall learn what they are planning sooner or later. You don't suppose they would tell me if I were to ask them, do you?"

"No, I guess that's so."

"Then keep your eyes open and I will do the same. When we get anything definite, perhaps we will go to Mr. Penton with it."

"Is the plotting, or whatever it is, going on over in the Cousin Jack, too?"

"I think so. I noticed it when I was over there two days ago. It is curious to me that the mining captains are not wise by this time."

"This one never would discover anything. Are they going to keep him?"

"I do not know," answered Steve. "Naturally I have not asked. I am in rather a delicate position, in view of the fact that I got the captain into this difficulty."

Bob nodded thoughtfully.

"Well, I must get back to my work. I think it is safe to say that nothing will occur yet a while, and perhaps not at all. But we shall be on the job when it does, old man."

Waving their hands in parting salute, the young foremen turned and walked away to attend to their duties. But, though they did not apprehend any immediate trouble, they were destined, within the next few days, to meet with the most thrilling experiences of their lives--experiences that they would never forget.