During the forenoon Superintendent Penton and the mine captain came swinging along the tracks. The superintendent spoke pleasantly to Steve, after which the two men took a seat on a bench in the planked alcove close to the place where the boy was dumping cars of ore.
"This shortage is troubling me greatly Jim," said Mr. Penton.
Steve could not help but hear their conversation, his station being on that side.
"It has me beaten, too, sir," answered the mine captain. "I have been through this mine from top to bottom, and from end to end, and for the life of me I can't see where any such shortage as you say the reports show could have occurred."
"You are sure the tally-boards are being properly kept?"
"Yes; I have looked into that. Have you any idea that someone is tricking us?"
"No; I hardly think so. I believe, rather, that it is the result of carelessness somewhere. The report sheets show more ore mined than weighs up after it is put on the cars. In other words, the output shown on our reports doesn't check up with the company's tally-sheets at Duluth. We are a good many tons short. It is up to you, Jim, to put your finger on the shortage. There is going to be trouble over this, unless I am greatly mistaken."
"Yes; there'll be trouble enough when we find out where it is—trouble for the fellow or fellows who are to blame for it," answered the mine captain.
"Well, keep your eyes open. If you need any help, let me know."
"I've had the inspectors on the job for a week now, and they are no nearer solving the mystery than they were before they began."