"Bob is quite a man already," replied Rush, with a faint smile.
Mr. Penton laughed good-naturedly.
"Yes, I understand. You will report at the chute at once. Tell the mine captain to inform the time keepers of your change of place. That will be all."
Expressing his thanks to the superintendent, Steve left the office and made his way to the mine, to take up his new work—work that was to be much less trying than that of the previous week.
After the lad's departure Mr. Penton spent a long time in studying a bundle of reports of the work in the Cousin Jack Mine. His eyes soon lost their twinkle, and his forehead wrinkled with perplexity.
"This passes all understanding. This shortage in the output is something that I cannot understand. If I do not find the leakage soon I shall be in trouble with the company," he muttered.
Then, putting on his coat and hat, he left the office and started for the mines.