ow twelve feet in length.

In this confined space the air was oppressively warm, and the miners
threw off their blouses, leaving them in the drift near the entrance.

Skip knew that in the pocket of the one worn by Bill was the paper he
had been instructed to steal, and he watched eagerly for an opportunity
to creep up unobserved.

While Sam and Fred were at work it was impossible to do this; but the
car had been nearly filled, and in a short time it would be necessary to
get another.

The men could no longer throw the dirt from where they were working to
the entrance, and Fred had been ordered to stand midway the cutting that
he might pass it on to Sam.

"I'll run this car down, an' get another if you'll give me a lift at
starting it," Sam finally shouted, and Fred came out.

The incline was sufficient to carry the rude vehicle to the switches at
the foot of the slope after it was once set in motion, and, using a
crowbar as a lever, this was soon accomplished.

Sam ran behind it a few paces, and then clambered up to the brake where
he could control the movements of the heavy load.

Fred watched him until the tiny flame in his cap was lost to view in the
distance, and then he returned to the tunnel, unconscious that Skip had
glided from his hiding-place to follow closely behind.

It was necessary the leader of the regulators should work with the
utmost celerity, for if Fred turned he would distinguish the dark form
even in the gloom.

Skip had already formed a plan.

He crept close behind the boy whom he hated, until the latter entered
the tunnel. Then stooping he picked up the crowbar, and raised it for a
blow. In this position he waited until Fred was in the middle of the
tunnel clambering over the pile of dirt to get at his shovel.

The time had come.

Swinging the heavy bar once around he struck the bottom of the joist
which supported the shoring over head, and the heavy timbers, put up
insecurely because they were to be used but temporarily, fell with a
crash.

The jar disturbed the earth at the top, and large masses fell,
completely filling the entrance, burying alive those who were on the
inside.

"That settles them, I reckon," Skip cried, gleefully, as, unmindful of
the blinding dust, he sprang toward Bill's blouse.

To find the plan of the mine was but the work of a moment, and then,
with the precious document thrust in the bosom of his shirt, he started
at full speed toward the entrance to