"What's the matter?" Fred whispered.
"The villains have taken good care we sha'n't escape. The drift has been filled up this side of the doors."
"Can't we dig our way through? They haven't had time to bring much stuff in here."
"More than likely two or three loads of coal have been dumped, and then the doors were fastened. The drift has been worked out, and none of the bosses would come here in time to suspect mischief."
"What can we do?"
"Wait a bit till I make sure what's before us."
Brace clambered upon the barrier, assured himself there was too much to be removed in the limited time at their disposal, and then came back to where Fred was waiting in painful suspense.
"It must be the old shaft or nothing. Walk fast now for the minutes are going mighty quick."
Alone, Fred would have had difficulty in retracing his steps, but Brace pushed forward as if it was possible to see every foot of the way, and when the chamber was reached immediately began forcing his body through the aperture which had seemed hardly large enough for Fred.
Neither gave any heed to possible injuries, and the man's clothes were in tatters when they emerged on the opposite side of the wall to make their way with all speed along the tunnel.