"Nothing," answered the man. "I came to serve you, not to ask service."
The voice seemed familiar to Duncan—almost startlingly familiar. He instantly looked up and exclaimed:
"Why, it's Dick Temple!"
"Yes," answered the other. "You and I quarreled very bitterly once. The quarrel was a very foolish one—on my side."
"And on mine, too!" responded Duncan, grasping his former enemy's hand. "Let us forget it, and be friends."
"With all my heart. It was in that spirit that I came hither to-night—I want to render you a service."
Meanwhile Duncan had almost forced the miner into a chair.
"Tell me," he said, "how is it that you——"
"That I'm a miner? You think of me as an educated engineer, eh? Well, that's a long story and not at all so sad a one as you might suppose. I'll tell you all about it at another time. But it can wait, while there are some other things that should be said now—things that vitally affect the affairs you have in charge."
"It is very good of you to come to me with suggestions, and they will be very welcome, I assure you, and very helpful, I've no doubt. For I have faith in your skill as an engineer."