“Oh, not a few weeks,” said Gwyn, in a tone of doubt. “Well, say months, then, sir. Nobody can tell. If you gave me a plan of the mine on paper, with the number and size of the galleries, I could tell you pretty exactly; but, of course, we don’t know. There may be miles of workings at different levels; and, on the other hand, there may be not—only the shaft, and that we can soon master.”
“But suppose that there’s a hole into it from the sea,” said Joe, looking up from where he knelt, with a droll look of inquiry in his eyes.
“Why, then we shall want more pumps, and a fresh place to put the water in,” cried Gwyn, laughing. “Rather too big a job for you, that, Sam Hardock.”
“Oh, I don’t know, sir. We might p’r’aps find out where the gashly hole was, and put a big cork in it. But let’s try first and see. What do you say to coming through to the shaft, and having a look whether the water’s beginning to lower?”
“But we shall get out feet so wet.”
“Bah! what’s a drop o’ water, my lad, when there’s a big bit o’ business on? Have off your shoes and stockings, then. I’ve got a light.”
“Will you come, Joe?”
“Of course, if you’re going,” said the boy, sturdily, as if it were a matter beyond question. “But you haven’t told Sam about the engine-house.”
“What about it?” said the man, anxiously. “What!” he continued, on hearing what they had noticed. “That’s bad, my lads, that’s bad, and they mean mischief. But I don’t see what harm he could have done to the fire, only burnt himself—and sarve him right. Wanted to see, perhaps, how our bylers was set. I know that chap, though—met him more than once, when I’ve been here and there in different towns, talking to folk of a night over a pipe—when I was looking for work, you know. One of those chaps, he seemed to be, as is always hanging about with both ears wide open to see what they can ketch. I fancy he had something to do with the two gents as came over to buy the mine. I aren’t sure, but I think that’s it.”
“I feel quite sure,” said Gwyn, emphatically. “Very well, then, sir; what we’ve got to do is to keep him off our premises, so that he don’t get picking up our notions of working the old mine. He’s after something, or he wouldn’t be here to-day. Regular old mining hand, he is; and I daresay he was squinting over our machinery, and he wants to see the pumping come to naught. Just please him. But look at this; isn’t it fine?”