a car, and in a few minutes were
drawn up to the surface, where they scattered towards their respective
homes and waiting suppers.

Paul Evert, who ever since work had ceased in the breaker, more than an
hour before, had lingered near the mouth of the slope, waiting for the
appearance of his friend, ventured to ask one of them if he had seen
Derrick.

"Don't know nothing about him," was the reply, as, greatly alarmed to
find the lad whom he had helped to persecute already made an object of
inquiry, the Young Sleeper hurried away.

Bill Tooley had overheard Paul's question, and stepping up to him, he
said, "Look a-here, young feller, yer ain't got no call as I knows on to
be a meddling wid what goes on in de mine and don't concern you. I don't
mind tellin' yer, though, that yer butty's doin' overwork, and mebbe
won't come up all night. I heerd one of de bosses orderin' him to it."

Although Paul thought this somewhat strange, he knew that the miners
frequently stayed down to do overwork, and was much relieved at such a
plausible explanation of his friend's non-appearance. On his way home he
stopped to tell Mrs. Sterling what he had heard. He found her very
anxious, and just about to go out and make inquiries concerning her boy.
The information that Paul brought relieved her mind somewhat, and
thanking him for it, she turned back into the house with a sigh, and
gave little Helen her supper, at the same time setting aside a liberal
portion for Derrick when he should come.

Until nearly ten o'clock she waited, frequently going to the door to
look and listen; then she could bear the suspense no longer. Throwing a
shawl over her head, and bidding Helen remain where she was for a few
minutes, the anxious mother started to go to the house of the mine boss
to gain certain information of her boy. As she opened her own front
door, something that she saw caused her to utter a cry and stand
trembling on the threshold.

CHAPTER VI

THE SECRET MEETING--A PLUNGE DOWN AN AIR-SHAFT

What Mrs. Sterling saw was her own son Derrick, who was just about to
enter the house. As the light from behind her shone full upon him, he
presented a sorry spectacle, and one well calculated to draw forth an
exclamation from an anxious mother. Hatless and coatless, his face
bruised, swollen, and so covered with blood and coal-dust that its
features were almost unrecognizable, he could not well have presented a
more striking contrast to the