ather than wait for the train.

Contrary to Brace's belief, both Mr. Wright and the cashier had remained
at Farley's after the trial. It is possible they heard a few unwelcome
truths; but, as a rule, those who were forced to work under them did not
dare to speak too plainly.

Neither Joe nor Fred had seen the gentlemen since they stepped on board
the cars at Blacktown, but now they were met face to face when the
travelers arrived at the out-cropping vein.

The superintendent nodded carelessly, much as he would have done toward
a stranger, while his companion deliberately turned his back upon the
new-comers.

Joe whistled as he passed on, to show how little concern he felt at
meeting the two whom he considered enemies, but he whispered to Fred
when they were farther down the mountain:

"I want to know what them fellers are doin' out here. It looks as if
some crooked work was goin' on."

"They can't run away with the vein," Fred replied laughingly, "and I
don't see how their being in this vicinity can hurt us."

"Nor I; but it won't do any harm to watch 'em. They're none too honest
to play any kind of a mean trick."

"It's too late to turn now, for they'd surely know what we were up to."

"We can keep on a little farther, an' then double back under cover of
the trees."

"All right. I don't suppose it will make much difference if we loaf a
bit."

Joe walked straight ahead until they were within shelter of a line of
foliage, and then turning sharply to the left, circled around the side
of the mountain to a point just above the vein, where the two men could
be plainly seen, while the watchers were hidden among the bushes.

Mr. Wright and the cashier at first sight appeared to be walking
aimlessly to and fro, as if calculating the width of the coal mine, and
now and then the former stooped to pull up a stake, which he placed in
another position.

"It looks as if they was figgerin' how wide the slope would have to be,"
Joe whispered. "I reckon we've wasted our time sneakin' over here."

"They are moving the stakes driven by the surveyors!" Fred exclaimed,
after a brief pause.

"But what good will that do 'em?"

"I don't know; of course, the lines can be run again by any one; but
there must be a scheme in it, for Mr. Wright wouldn't be out here unless
something could be gained by it."

"They've got no right on our land, an' I'll warn them off," Joe said, as
he arose excitedly to his feet.

"Don't so much