l for a guide. But I am afraid, Mr.
Brook, that I shall have to trouble you a good deal. As far as I can see
from the plan the mine is very badly laid out, and the ventilation
altogether defective. What is your opinion?" he asked, turning abruptly
to Jack, and wishing to see whether his practical knowledge at all
corresponded with his theoretical acquirements.

"I would rather not say, sir," Jack said. "It is not for me to express
an opinion as to Mr. Thompson's plan."

"Let us have your ideas," Mr. Brook said. "Just tell us frankly what you
would do if you were manager of the Vaughan?"

Jack turned to the plan.

"I should widen the airways, and split the current; that would raise the
number of cubic feet of air to about twelve thousand a minute. It is too
far for a single current to travel, especially as the airways are not
wide; the friction is altogether too great. I should put a split in
here, take a current round through the old workings to keep them clear,
widen these passages, split the current again here, and then make a cut
through this new ground so as to take a strong current to sweep the face
of the main workings, and carry it off straight to the upcast. But that
current ought not to pass through the furnace, but be let in above, for
the gas comes off very thick sometimes, and might not be diluted enough
with air, going straight to the furnaces."

"Your ideas are very good," Mr. Hardinge said quietly. "Now we will get
into our clothes and go below."

So saying, he opened a bag and took out two mining suits of clothes,
which, first taking off their coats, he and his companion proceeded to
put on over their other garments. Mr. Brook went into his office, and
similarly prepared himself; while Jack, who was not dressed for mining,
went to the closet where a few suits were hung up for the use of
visitors and others, and prepared to go down. Then he went to the
lamp-room and fetched four Davy-lamps. While he was away Mr. Brook
joined the inspectors.

"That young pitman is as steady as he is clever," he said; "he has come
several times under my attention. In the first place, the schoolmaster
has spoken to me of the lad's efforts to educate himself. Then he saved
another boy's life at the risk of his own, and of late years his
steadiness and good conduct have given him a great influence over his
comrades of the same age, and have effected great things for the place.
The vicar and schoolmaster now are never t