“It was all we wanted to know about the mine,” he answered slowly. “But you tell me that mining around here doesn’t pay?”
“Hardly. It did years ago, but we have nearly reached the end.”
“If you have no objection I would like to take a look around your mine,” said Oliver. “I was never in a mine just like this.” He did not deem it necessary to say that he had never been in a mine of any kind. “It must be an interesting sight.”
Colonel Mendix frowned slightly. The idea of these two suspicious young men prowling about the place did not suit him.
“It is not such an amusing sight,” he replied with a short laugh.
“Still you don’t object, I suppose,” said Oliver.
“Oh, no; I—I—will send for a man to show you through. It is not often we have visitors away out here. Take seats while I send for the man.”
He indicated a couple of chairs, and the two boys seated themselves. Oliver’s heart beat like a trip-hammer. What would be the result of this strange visit to the mine?
“Have you good stout boots?” went on Colonel Mendix; “you need them in a place like this.”