ied us up
good and tight, and then threw the money around promiscuous like!"

"So the money is there?" asked Will.

The news seemed too good to be true!

"It was there when we were first thrown into the chamber," replied
Jimmie, "but I have an idea that Ventner sneaked in and removed it so as
to prevent his mates getting any share."

A light flashed out from below, followed immediately by a pistol shot!

CHAPTER XX

SANDY IS DISCHARGED

Elmer and Sandy, guarding the gangway variously called the North section
and Tunnel Six, presently heard voices coming from the direction of the
shaft, and the latter moved back a few paces in order to inspect the
new-comers. In a moment he saw three rather pompous looking men
approaching him, their footsteps being directed by a man clothed as a
miner.

"Here, boy!" shouted one of the pompous men. "Can you tell me where
Canfield, the caretaker of this mine, may be found?"

"He's up on the next level," replied Sandy.

"I was told he was down here," growled the speaker, who was very short
and fat, and very much out of breath.

"He was here a little while ago," answered Sandy.

"What's the meaning of this show of firearms?" demanded the fat man,
after glancing disdainfully at the automatic in the boy's hand.

"We've got three robbers cooped up in the mine," replied Sandy.

"That's the old, old story!" exclaimed the fat man. "I don't know that I
ever knew of a mine that wasn't haunted, either by ghosts or robbers!
Mysteries seem to breed in coal mines!"

Sandy walked back to the place where he had left Elmer, and the three
men and their guide followed him. When Elmer caught a view of the fat
man's face and figure, he gave a sharp pull at Sandy's sleeve.

"That's Stephen Carson!" he said. "I guess I'd better keep out of sight,
because I don't care about getting into an argument with him. He's the
most contrary person I ever saw in my life, and never fails to get up an
argument about something or other with yours truly."

"You seem to know him pretty well," whispered Sandy.

"I ought to," returned Elmer, "he's my Uncle! The two tall men in the
party are my father and the cashier of the Night and Day bank. I'll take
a sneak, and that will shorten the session."

Accordingly, Elmer strolled along the gangway and came to a halt some
distance from where the three men had drawn up.

"My boy," Carson went on, looking condescendingly at the youth, "will
you kindly run