"They're diggin' for him now; but I'm goin' to get the worst of this job."
"How so?"
"Taylor will blow the whole thing, an' then Wright will know it was me."
"Ain't I here to protect yer?"
"Yes; but——"
"Don't worry, my son. Go into the breaker as if nothin' had happened."
"I can't 'cause I sent word I wouldn't come to-day."
"Then keep out of sight till night, and meet me on the railroad track after dark. We'll have this job mighty nigh done before morning."
Billings was walking toward the slope, and not daring to follow him any farther, Skip ran swiftly in the opposite direction, wondering where he could hide until sunset. For the first time he began to fear the consequences of his cruel deed, and the thought that the officers of the law might soon be in search of him was by no means reassuring.
He sought the shelter of the thicket farther up the hill where a view of the slope could be had, and there he waited, expecting each moment to see lifeless bodies brought from the mine.