e gallery fixed upon in the
direction of the Durend works. Narrow seams of coal, not worth working,
did run in that direction according to the plans, and they will have no
difficulty in getting rid of the coal of course. The rock they hew out
must be taken away and dumped in remote, abandoned workings, where it is
not likely to be found or understood."

"'Pon my word, it sounds like the real thing," cried Dale with fresh
enthusiasm. "But it'll take a long time I should think, so we must make
a start at once. What do you think, Dubec?"

"Yes, Monsieur, it will take much time. But we will work hard, knowing
that we are working for our country. It will make our hearts light again
to feel that we are once more of use, and some who might give way will
keep on and on, refusing to bend the knee to the German tyrants and to
work their will."

"Yes, it may well do that," said Max thoughtfully. "And if any object
that they will be helping the Germans by sending coal up to the surface,
tell them that I say that the other work they are doing far outweighs
that. If we can secure the Durend works intact, ready to make shells and
guns for the Allies when the Germans are driven out, we shall have
struck a strong blow--aye, one of the strongest--for our side."

"I will tell them, Monsieur, though I do not think it will be
necessary."

"Any money and tools that will be required I will supply. And I will
occasionally come down into the mine and correct the direction in which
you are driving the gallery. We must be exact, or all our work will be
wasted."

After a few days' more planning, and another consultation with Dubec,
the details of the scheme were settled to everyone's satisfaction, and
the work commenced. The direction of affairs on the spot was left to
Dubec, and to him was also left the responsibility of deciding to what
men the secret should be imparted. Then Max and Dale left the district
and went on with their own special work, satisfied that the last and
final stratagem for defeating Schenk was in good hands, and likely, in
the course of time, to be brought to a successful issue.

It is not here that we can describe the many adventures that befell Max
and Dale while in the British Secret Service. They were numerous and
exciting enough, but this tale deals primarily with the fortunes of the
great Durend workshops and their influence in the war. A long, tedious
period of trench fighting now began on the Western Front. T