"And they could have done nothing without your level head to direct them and your splendid example to stimulate them."
So the great colliery disaster was happily ended, and in Raven Brook village great sorrow was turned to great joy.
As the two gentlemen sat talking together in the room that the mine boss called his den, that evening, Mr. Halford said,
"By-the-way, Warren, I did not take this trip wholly out of curiosity to witness your rescue of the miners. I want to learn something of this young Sterling. Did you know his father?"
"Yes, he was one of my warmest friends."
"Was his name Gilbert?"
"Yes."
"Do you know whether he ever lived in Crawford County?"
"That is where he came from; he was born and raised there."
"Did you ever hear him speak of owning any property there?"