Still Hardock’s face was always cheery.
“Only because she’s so big underground, and there’s such a lot to get out, you see, my lads. She’s right enough. Why, that water’s been collecting from perhaps long before I was born. We shall get her dry some day.”
But Dinass, who somehow always seemed to be near when the boys were about the mine, looked solemn, and as soon as Hardock’s back was turned he gave Gwyn a significant wink.
“I only hope he’s right,” said the man.
“Then you don’t know he is?” said Joe, sharply.
“I don’t say nothing, young gents, nothing at all; but that pump’s been going long enough now to empty any mine, and yet, if you both go and look at the water, you’ll see it’s coming as fast as ever and just as clear.”
“Because they haven’t got to the bottom of it yet,” said Gwyn.
“It aren’t that, young gentleman,” said Dinass, mysteriously. “Of course it aren’t my business, but if the mine belonged to me I should begin to get uncomfortable.”
“Why?” asked Joe.
“Because I should be thinking that the old folks who digged this mine had to come up it in a hurry one day.”