'There wasn't nuffink ter prove 'e'd ever come da'n ter Cripples' Ease. Believe it or not, the coppers 'adn't even got a search warrant. They just questioned us and then left. I was scared the old man would let somefink slip, but when they 'card 'e was ill, they let it go at that. But they'll be back. That's why the Capting's so keen ter get the 'ole thing finished an' the Arisaig away tonight. An' ruddy glad I'll be when it's done, too. I ain't too keen on coppers in and a't of the place like trippers.'
We climbed on to the carriage. Slim pulled back on the lever and we started down the gallery. I opened the can of bully and started my breakfast. 'What was it you discovered last night, Friar?' I shouted through a mouthful of bread and corned beef.
Friar glanced at me quickly. 'Wot d'yer mean?' he asked.
'Last night — whilst you were down the mine looking for the old man,' I shouted to him. 'You discovered something. "Fair makes me sweat to think about it" — that's what you said. What was it?'
"Ow d'you know wot I said?' he asked. 'You wasn't wiv us.'
'No,' I answered. 'But I went up for a breath of air. I heard you talking amongst yourselves as you took Old Manack up to the house. What had you found?'
'Oh, nuffink much.' Friar turned his head away and made a pretence of being interested in the movement of the bearing against the rock walls. There was more water comin' into the Mermaid than we'd reckoned, that's all.'
'That wouldn't scare me,' I shouted.
'Wot?' He gave me a quick glance. 'Let it go, mate. It ain't important.'
'Where did you find the old man — up in the old workings?'