d back on the road he had come, carefully
feeling his way and making but slow progress.

He thought he should never reach the end; but at last he came to a door,
beyond which he heard the sound of human voices, and through the
crevices of which air was rushing outward. Cautiously he pulled it open,
fearing lest some of his late persecutors might be waiting to seize him.
The way was clear, and though he saw several lights in the distance,
none was near him. Gently closing the door, he darted towards the
travelling-road down which he had come that morning, and entered it
without having been observed.

The climb up the gigantic stairway was a tedious one for the weary lad,
and called for such frequent rests that it occupied him nearly an hour.
When he finally reached the top he had barely strength enough left to
drag himself home.

This was the story that Derrick Sterling told the assistant
superintendent in the library of the latter's house that night.

Mr. Jones listened to it with the gravest and most earnest attention,
only interrupting now and then to ask a question concerning some point
that was not made quite clear, or to give utterance to an expression of
sympathy as Derrick related some of his sufferings.

The brave lad had not intended to say anything regarding his treatment
by the Young Sleepers, but was obliged to do so in answer to questions
as to how he happened to be left in the old gangway.

When he had finished, the mine boss grasped him warmly by the hand, and
said,

"My boy, by this timely information, so miraculously obtained, you have
doubtless given me a chance for my life which I should not otherwise
have had. Your adventures have been most thrilling, and your deliverance
wonderful. Now go home and to bed; you must not think of going to work
again until I give you permission to do so."

Once more Derrick found his mother anxiously awaiting his return. He
told her that the mine boss had been very kind to him, and that as he
was not going to work the next day she need not waken him in the
morning. Then he threw himself, all dressed as he was, upon his bed, and
while trying to relate to her some of the events of his first day in the
mine, fell into a profound sleep.

Meantime other events, equally thrilling with those just related, were
taking place in the mine.

Bill Tooley's brutal disposition was mainly the result of his home
training and influences, for he could not remember having had a