"McKee," he said, "I scent trouble. That man has left the boy in the mine, and I propose to get him out. Are you with me?"
"Yes; I hate Hawk, and I will help you cheerfully."
"Then come back with me."
Burdoch strode back and walked up to the superintendent.
"Mr. Hawk," he said, "you have shut up the boy in the mine. Unless you release him I will shoot you!"
Hawk turned pale, but tried to bluster.
"You are mistaken," he said. "At any rate, I won't be talked to in this style."
"You can't help yourself."
"What motive could I have for confining the boy?"
"You have probably found out that he represents your partner, old Tom Nixon, and that he has come here to find out the real state of the mine."