They climbed out of the pit and hurried along the tunnel.
Anne giggled hysterically. “O Dick!� she said. “I did find out your secret. I said I would, and I did. But—I wish I hadn’t!�
He started to answer, and then—they were now at the foot of the ladder—he stopped in terror. He heard voices. The men were returning.
“They’ve got us,� he said.
“Go on, go on,� gasped Anne. “Let’s get out anyway.�
“We’d just meet them,� replied Dick.
“Oh, come on out!� Anne said desperately. “Don’t let them kill us in this awful hole.�
“A hole!� Dick exclaimed. “Oh! there’s one. Come here!�
He caught Anne by the arm and pulled her along the tunnel, into the main room, to the pit into which he had fallen on his first visit to the mine.
“Here’s a hole,� he explained in a rapid whisper; “behind this pile of dirt. Wait a sec till I move these poles. Now! Grab that pole and slip in. Feel for the log with your feet. There!�