"Yes, sir."
Steve felt much more light of heart after this conversation. That his superiors approved of his action in joining the union relieved him of a great weight.
By this time the mine had been whipped into working condition once more, and the work was going on with renewed vigor. The men, too, with the promises of the labor leaders still fresh in their minds, went about their duties much more cheerfully than before.
However, there were, if anything, more meetings than before. There were conferences outside of the mine that the Iron Boys knew nothing about. Neither did Mr. Penton have knowledge of these secret meetings, in spite of the detective organization that existed in the mines unknown to the miners themselves. Cavard himself did not appear to be active, but there were others who were active for him.
Ten days had passed, then another meeting of the union was held. There were not more than twenty of the members present. The young secretary was among the absentees.
Cavard called the meeting to order, commenting upon the small attendance. Then he made a speech in which he indulged in some plain talk regarding the purpose of the union. After he had done so he said:
"There is another matter that I wish to bring before the members. That is the question of our secretary. He is a most estimable young man, but you—those of you who listened to his remarks the other night—will agree with me that he is too young, too inexperienced to be entrusted with so important an office. It should be quite plain to you that he is not in thorough sympathy with our great work. In other words, I believe that he is the tool of the bosses. I have good reason for saying this, though for obvious reasons I hope my words will not be repeated. One of our members saw the boy, Rush, in earnest conversation with the superintendent down in the Red Rock Mine to-day, and overheard something that aroused his suspicion. Rush was reporting some of our private business. What do you think of that?"
A murmur arose from the audience. Cavard waited that the full force of his words might take effect.
"He's a traitor!" shouted a voice.
"I should not want to say that, men. I should call him an irresponsible boy, who is serving the purposes of the bosses without being fully aware that he is doing so. Of course the matter is in your hands to dispose of as you may see fit."