The detective returned to the township in the afternoon to prosecute the search for Ephraim, of whom nothing had yet been heard. In the presence of his mother and Mrs. Hardy and Harry, Dick faced the officer to tell his story; but he found it hard to begin.
'Well, my lad,' said Downy, 'you're going to tell all you know?'
Dick nodded, abashed by his new importance.
'Out with it then. You were in that drive?'
'Yes.'
'You went down with Rogers and Shine?'
'I didn't.'
'Very well, my boy, how did you go?'
'Went by myself. Out of a drive what I know into the Red Hand workin's, an' down the Red Hand ladders.'
'But why? Go ahead—why?'