In this confined space the air was oppressively warm, and the miners threw off their blouses, leaving them in the drift near the entrance.
Skip knew that in the pocket of the one worn by Bill was the paper he had been instructed to steal, and he watched eagerly for an opportunity to creep up unobserved.
While Sam and Fred were at work it was impossible to do this; but the car had been nearly filled, and in a short time it would be necessary to get another.
The men could no longer throw the dirt from where they were working to the entrance, and Fred had been ordered to stand midway the cutting that he might pass it on to Sam.
"I'll run this car down, an' get another if you'll give me a lift at starting it," Sam finally shouted, and Fred came out.
The incline was sufficient to carry the rude vehicle to the switches at the foot of the slope after it was once set in motion, and, using a crowbar as a lever, this was soon accomplished.
Sam ran behind it a few paces, and then clambered up to the brake where he could control the movements of the heavy load.
Fred watched him until the tiny flame in his cap was lost to view in the distance, and then he returned to the tunnel, unconscious that Skip had glided from his hiding-place to follow closely behind.
It was necessary the leader of the regulators should work with the utmost celerity, for if Fred turned he would distinguish the dark form even in the gloom.
Skip had already formed a plan.