"Did he? That's fine. I'll see the mine captain and tell him."
"I have told him already. You may come with me now, and we'll make a little examination on our own hook."
Bob dropped his shovel, and, telling the shift boss where he was going, accompanied Steve down the ladder to the level below. There the lads looked over the platform by the tally-board, Steve pointing out where he was standing when he went through the floor.
"I never knew there was a trap there," he said, pointing to the new planking that covered the hole through which he had dropped.
"Nor I. I guess not many men in the mine knew about it. The timbers supporting it must have been rotten."
"Perhaps," answered Steve dryly. "Come on up to the sub-level; we will begin our investigation there."
Bob followed, though he did not fully understand the purpose of his companion. Rush made his way to the door on the sub-level through which the man Spooner had entered the shaft. The lad opened the door and stood peering in, holding his candle ahead of him as he did so.
"You are not going in here, are you?" questioned Jarvis.
"Yes."
"Why not go in on the level below and save this climb?"