"Oh, yes; that would be the natural result. 'In union there is strength,' you know."
"So I have read," replied the lad, with a faint smile. "Then you are unionizing the mines? Is that it?"
"I should hardly want to go so far as to say that, my dear, young friend," answered the Duke. "But I will say that the men have been considering the matter for some time. I am placing implicit confidence in you. This information is not mine to give at the present moment, so I shall have to ask you to consider all that I may say as being confidential."
Steve did not reply to this directly. He sat thoughtful and silent for a few seconds.
"Are you a union man, Mr. Driscold?" he asked suddenly.
"Mr. Driscold is the president of the Central Iron Miners' Association," said Cavard, speaking for the red-haired man.
"Indeed."
Steve regarded the president curiously.
"Then you represent all of the unions in the country, sir?"
"No; not quite that. I am the state president only. The national body is represented by another man. Then, in case a union is organized here, there will be a local president and other officers, all playing a prominent part in the organization. Believe me, my dear young friend, there is a great chance for bright young men. We want young men to hold our offices, young men of brains, like yourself. It is the history of our organization that such young men, almost from the moment that they assume office in the union, make rapid strides in their work. They are sure to earn rapid promotion. We see to that; we push them along. Why, I know of a young man about your age who, like yourself, was a foreman before joining the union. In less than a year after doing so he was promoted to be a superintendent. That happened right in this state, not more than a hundred miles from where we are sitting at this very moment. Stand by the union, and work for its interests, and you will be well taken care of at all times."