We went down then. I was still thinking about Kitty. I'd have to have it out with Manack. But I put it off. I'd wait till we came to the last blow. He'd be easier to handle then.
When we reached the end of the Mermaid we found it wetter than ever. The fall had not been as heavy as I'd expected. I climbed up into the shaft and found the reason. We were through the faulty rock. The roof was solid now with the exception of several deep fissures through which the salt water poured in a steady stream. Manack clambered up beside me. 'How many more blastings?' he asked.
'Two at least,' I said.
'The second going through to the sea bed?'
'Possibly,' I said. 'You can see the rock is more solid here.'
He nodded and went down to help the others clear the rubble. Friar took his place beside me and we began to drill the charge holes. It took longer this time and before we'd finished the fifth hole the rock had all been cleared, including the big piece. We were alone with the roar of the compressor and the chatter of the drill as it ate into the rock face.
Friar, I noticed, kept looking down. And every time I switched off the air he'd cock his head on one side, listening. 'What are you expecting?' I asked.
'Nothing,' he said quickly. 'Nothing.' His face was running with sweat. He wiped it off with a brightly coloured handkerchief. "Ow many more ruddy 'oles are yer goin' ter drill?' he asked.
'Three more,' I said. 'Why?'
'Oh. I just wondered.' His manner was a little too off-hand. There was something on his mind.