"What do you think they are planning, if anything?"
"It is a mystery to me, Bob, but I am going to find out. I have a right to do that so far as my own men are concerned, and so have you. It is our duty to know what is going on in our own sections."
"Then why don't you ask the men outright?" demanded Jarvis.
"That would be a foolish thing to do. By letting them think we have no suspicions we shall learn what they are planning sooner or later. You don't suppose they would tell me if I were to ask them, do you?"
"No, I guess that's so."
"Then keep your eyes open and I will do the same. When we get anything definite, perhaps we will go to Mr. Penton with it."
"Is the plotting, or whatever it is, going on over in the Cousin Jack, too?"
"I think so. I noticed it when I was over there two days ago. It is curious to me that the mining captains are not wise by this time."
"This one never would discover anything. Are they going to keep him?"
"I do not know," answered Steve. "Naturally I have not asked. I am in rather a delicate position, in view of the fact that I got the captain into this difficulty."