ick that evening, and was waiting somewhat
impatiently for him. When the boy at last arrived he was taken into the
library, where, as soon as the door was closed, the mine boss asked:

"Well, Derrick, have you heard anything more about the meeting?"

"Not a word, sir."

"To-morrow is the 27th, you know."

"Yes, sir, I know it is."

"And my fate, and perhaps yours too, may be decided within twenty-four
hours from now."

At this Derrick started; he had not realized that he was in any
particular danger.

"Do you think, sir, they would pay any attention to a boy like me?" he
asked.

"I certainly do," replied the mine boss. "They would pay attention to
anybody or anything that stood in their way, or seemed likely to
interfere with their plans. I am afraid, from what Job Taskar said the
other day, that they consider your presence in the mine as dangerous to
them. I am sorry that my liking for you, and efforts to promote your
interests, should have placed you in such an unpleasant position. If you
like I will try and get you a place as errand boy in the main office of
the company, where you will be in no danger."

"Oh, no, sir!" exclaimed Derrick. "Please don't think of such a thing.
I'd rather take my chances with the Mollies in the mine than go into an
office. There I should never be anything but a clerk; while here I may
some day become an engineer, as my father was. Don't you think I may,
sir?"

"Yes," answered the other, smiling at the boy's earnestness, "I think
any boy of ordinary intelligence and blessed with good health can in
time occupy any position he chooses, if he directs his whole energy in
that direction, and makes up his mind that no obstacle shall turn him
from it."

"I have made a beginning, sir," said Derrick, much encouraged by these
words from one who was so greatly his superior in age, knowledge, and
position, and whose opinion he valued so highly.

"Have you?" asked the mine boss, with a kindly interest. "In what way?"

"I am studying my father's books, and trying to work out problems from
some old plans I found among his papers. One of them is a plan of the
very oldest workings of this mine, and I have brought a tracing of a
part of it to show you."

"Very good," said Mr. Jones, glancing at the tracing carelessly. "I have
no doubt that in time you will become a famous engineer."

Although this was spoken kindly enough, it was evident that the
speaker's thoughts were far away, probab