n
the grass; and as he searched his whimper grew louder and louder, and he
cried like an old woman at a wake.

'An' we killed a man, we killed a man!' he wailed again and again.

Rogers rushed at him viciously, and kicked him heavily in the ribs.

'Get up, you dog!' he cried hoarsely, with a string of oaths. He dragged
Shine to his feet, and continned: 'Listen to me. Go home an' go to bed
fer a while. Turn up at the mine all right at one, and in the mornin'.
Keep your mouth shut, an' wait till you hear from me again, or--or--' He
did not finish his threat. After a moment he continued, in a more
composed tone: 'We're in no danger if we've not been seen. That was the
trooper after the cub Haddon. He's got the gold all right. Bury the key.
Get back to your house, an' lie down fer a while. Be careful--p'raps
we're watched now.'

The two men moved off together. After they had passed the tips Dick
quickly made his way into the quarry, and from thence to the drive of the
Mount of Gold.

CHAPTER XV.

HER father did it! Her father! Her father! Dick continued to repeat these
words as he procured candles and prepared himself for a journey into the
deep mines. He was conscious of a double duty; he must rescue Harry Hardy
from the rising waters and save the father of Christina Shine from a
terrible crime, and yet he went about his task as if moved by an external
impulse. The work had been mapped out for him by someone or something
apart, and he undertook it without a thought of its dangers or a hint of
revolt. In fact, he was feverishly anxious to face the black Red Hand
shaft and the great, lone workings beyond. He lit one candle, put several
pieces in his pocket with the matches, and started on his journey. He was
oblivious to his surroundings, oblivious to everything but the object of
his quest--Harry Hardy, lying far below in the dripping main drive of the
Silver Stream. His large dark eyes, staring unblinkingly, seemed as if
set on a vision of his friend prone on the muddy floor of the drive, with
the treacherous waters stealing amongst his hair. The present mission had
nothing in common with those fanciful adventures that had served to make
the boy the wonder and despair of his native township. Richard Haddon was
entirely forgotten for the time being, and this concentration of mind and
energy served to carry the boy bravely over every obstacle.

Dick made his way through the opening he and Ted had fashioned, dropped