up to the second level and tell Mr. Canfield that his
presence is required by the president of the mining company?"

"I'm not allowed to leave this place, sir," replied Sandy, taking
offense at the man's air of proprietorship.

"All persons in and about this mine," Carson almost shouted, "are
subject to my orders. Run along now, you foolish boy, find don't make
any further trouble for yourself!"

The man's manner was so unnecessarily dictatorial and offensive that
Sandy found it impossible to retain his temper. He was not naturally a
"fresh" youngster, but now he had passed the limit of endurance.

"Aw, go chase yourself!" he said.

"You're discharged!" shouted Carson.

"You didn't hire me!" retorted Sandy. "You haven't got any right to
discharge me! I'm going to stay here until I get ready to leave!"

"If you don't get out of the mine immediately, I'll have you thrown
out!" shouted Carson. "I never saw such impudence!"

"If I do get out," replied Sandy with a grin, "you'll wish I hadn't!"

Carson turned to Elmer's father and the bank cashier, and the three
consulted together for a short time. Then Elmer's father came closer to
where Sandy was standing.

"Why do you say that?" he asked. "Why do you think we will wish you had
remained in case you are sent out of the mine?"

"Because I was left here to prevent robbers getting out of the gangway.
They're further in, and have captured three of my chums."

"All nonsense!" shouted Mr. Carson breaking into the conversation
impatiently. "These breaker boys never tell the truth!"

"Are you Mr. Buck?" asked Sandy, speaking in an undertone to Elmer's
father. "Because if you are, you'll find Elmer just a short distance
ahead. He's on guard, too. He didn't want his uncle to recognize him,
because he says he's always getting up an argument with him."

"I'm glad to know that Elmer is attending to his duty," Mr. Buck
answered. "Somehow," he continued with a smile, "Stephen Carson always
rubs Elmer the wrong way of the grain."

"What's he butting in here for?" asked Sandy, while the cashier of the
Night and Day bank and the miner stood by waiting for the peace
negotiations to conclude.

"Why, he came in to get his two hundred thousand dollars!" replied Mr.
Buck. "He thinks he knows How right where he left it."

"Does he often get foolish in the head like that?" asked Sandy with a
grin. "If he does, he ought to hire a couple of detectives to keep track
of him when he