"If it hadn't been you vouldn't have caught me connected vid it," was the prompt reply.
"That we can tell after we have heard what you are doing. Go on."
"I'm engaged by the commissioner to endeavor to find out the feelings of these misguided men," Steel Spring said, still whispering.
"In other words, you are a spy," I remarked.
"Vell, I don't know about that," he said; "I'se promised to get all the facts that I can hear, and let the commissioner know 'em. If that is vot you call a spy, I s'pose I'm one on 'em."
"And the pay is large, I suppose?"
"Vell, I can find no fault in that line yet. I s'pose that I shall earn my money, no matter 'ow 'igh the wages is."
"Well, I don't envy you, if these rough miners get an inkling of your profession. Look out for them, for they don't understand practical joking," I remarked.
"That for 'em!" ejaculated Steel Spring, snapping his fingers. "I know something that vill take the edge off of 'em, if they show any of their spite."
"That's all talk," I replied.