while Skip and his adherents
stood near the building ready to take advantage of the first opportunity
for mischief.

"Don't think we shan't get a whack at you," the leader cried. "Them
fellers won't allers be 'round, an' when our time does come things'll be
worse than they was in the shaft."

"If I ever hear of your touchin' Fred I'll take a hand in the row
myself," Brace said threateningly.

"Oh, yes, you will," Skip replied with a leer, and then led his
followers down the road, each one making some insulting remark as he
passed.

"I'll straighten that fellow out," Joe said angrily. "He's got the will
to do most anything, an' we must take him down a peg before it'll be
safe for you to move around."

"Don't say anything to them, for it will only make matters worse. I'll
see to it that they don't get another chance at me. Sam, Mr. Wright
wants to see us at the store. Will you wait for us, Joe?"

"Indeed, I will. Till things get settled I want to keep my eye on both
you boys."

The superintendent was in his office, at one end of the building, when
the party entered, and he beckoned them to join him.

"Don't hang back, Brace, for I wish to see you as well. I want to take
your butty away, and give you Fred instead. How would you like that?"

"First class, sir."

"I wish to have a few whom I can trust, on the lower level. I don't ask
for any spying: but expect to be informed if there is any serious
mischief brewing. There may yet be some who will aid Billings to gain
his revenge. Sam is to remain with Thomas; but will work near you."

"Very well, sir," and Brace rose to go, thinking the interview was at an
end; but Mr. Wright detained him.

"The most important matter is concerning the old shaft and drifts, from
which points very much mischief might be done. Sit down while we talk of
it."

At this moment Skip Miller entered unobserved by those in the office,
and, seeing the occupants of the little room, made his way behind a pile
of goods where he could hear very much of what the superintendent said.

CHAPTER XI

BILLINGS AND SKIP

Joe Brace did not appear to think there was much to fear from the late
rioters, so far as the possibility of their making an entrance through
the old shaft was concerned.

"This end of the gallery is pretty well filled up already," he said,
"an' with a few loads of slate it can be shut off entirely, more
especially after the doors are barred."

"It is not from that