“That's right.”
“Mr. Parker, have you given any attention to the circumstances of the North Valley disaster?”
“No,” said Mr. Parker. “Why?”
“I have just come from North Valley, and I can give you information which may be of interest to you. There are a hundred and seven people entombed in the mine, and the company officials have sealed it, and are sacrificing those lives.”
The other put down the correspondence, and made an examination of his caller from under his heavy eyelids. “How do you know this?”
“I left there only a few hours ago. The facts are known to all the workers in the camp.”
“You are speaking from what you heard?”
“I am speaking from what I know at first hand. I saw the disaster, I saw the pit-mouth boarded over and covered with canvas. I know a man who was driven out of camp this morning for complaining about the delay in starting the fan. It has been over three days since the explosion, and still nothing has been done.”
Mr. Parker proceeded to fire a series of questions, in the sharp, suspicious manner customary to prosecuting officials. But Hal did not mind that; it was the man's business to make sure.
Presently he demanded to know how he could get corroboration of Hal's statements.