"You astonish me, and I don't believe you. Nixon wouldn't send a kid like that."

"We won't argue the point. That boy must be released!"

"He is not in the mine."

"I intend to go down and see."

"Oh, very well; you can go!"

"You must go with us."

"I have not time."

In reply, Burdoch put a pistol to the side of his head.

"Be careful," said the affrighted superintendent, "it might go off!"

"Will you go down?"