Something did develop later in the week. The word had been passed quietly about that there was to be a meeting of the miners of the day shift to take up the question of organizing. The meeting was to be held in a bowling alley over the only livery stable in the place. Only those were invited of whom the organizers were sure.
Bob Jarvis got wind of the meeting through overhearing two of the men in his shift discussing it. He told Steve at the first opportunity. The latter thought over the matter all the rest of the day.
"Bob," he said, that night, "I am going to attend that meeting. Will you come along?"
"Where you go, I go," answered Jarvis, laughingly. "But won't they put us out?"
"I guess not. If they do, it won't help their cause any. They will be glad to have us there if they think they can convert us. At least, we shall know what is going on, and we may be able to do something for the company."
"Do what?"
"I don't know. We shall see," Steve replied enigmatically. "Leave it to me. Don't do anything rash, but let me engineer this thing. I may bring trouble down upon my head, but I have an idea."
Bob agreed to "be good." The meeting was scheduled to be held that night, and nine o'clock was the appointed hour.
The boys delayed their walk that evening. They did not leave the house until long after eight o'clock, by which time nearly all the men from the boarding house had dressed themselves in their best and hurried away.
"You see, they are all going to attend the meeting," nodded Rush. "That shows you how far this thing has advanced."