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Updated: June 8, 2025
"And look here," Will exclaimed as the boys started up the grade, "when we get within sight of the lights of the station, we must scatter and keep our traps closed! We can all make for the mine by different routes. Ventner thinks we are out of town now, and the chances are that he'll be plugging around trying to accomplish some purpose known only to himself.
"You're prejudiced against Ventner," laughed Canfield. "I admit it!" replied Will. "He looks to me like snake in the grass. I don't think anything he could do would look good to me." "Now," Canfield said, "perhaps we'd better be mapping out a plan of campaign. There are three gangways leading in three different directions.
"Now, as we approach the mine," Will cautioned his companion, "keep your eye out for Ventner and this third boy. They are both likely to be chasing around in the darkness." The route to the mine, taken by Tommy and his chum crossed a network of tracks, led up to the weigh-house and so on into the breaker.
"As a matter of fact," the caretaker replied, "I didn't intend to say anything to Ventner about your being here, but in some way he received an intimation that you were about to take up the case and so pumped the whole story out of me." "Perhaps he received his information from the New York attorney," suggested Will. "I'm sure that he did not," answered the caretaker.
"Wander around town," smiled Will, "and find out about the evening train, and ask fool questions about the pumps and the mine, and laugh at the idea of anybody living in there. That'll give Ventner the idea that we're going for good, I reckon. He's a pretty bum skate to pose as a detective!" "I'll tell you what I'm going to do most of the afternoon!" Tommy declared. "I'm going to the hay!
Before the wounded detective could continue, George, Jimmie, Dick, Canfield, Sandy and Tommy came running out of the gangway. "Where's Elmer?" asked Will. "We left him back there talking with one of the hold-up men," replied George. "They're both badly hurt, and won't last long!" "I'm not sorry!" moaned Ventner.
Sandy exclaimed, stepping to the door of the old tool house and listening intently. "They should I have been here a long time ago!" "Perhaps they've butted into Ventner," suggested Jimmie. "They wouldn't do that," Elmer replied. "Every blow he strikes with his pick saves us the trouble of making one." "You don't think he had any directions from anyone, do you?" asked Will.
"Don't get gay now!" grinned Sandy. "Well, if you insist upon it," George continued with a smile, "Ventner was digging in refuse heaps for something which he didn't find!" "Did you meet the boys who stole our provisions?" was the next question. "I wish you'd got hold of them!" "We are certain that one of them passed us while we were returning," George answered. "The nerve of him!" shouted Sandy.
Presently they heard footsteps on the hard floor of the gangway, and then a light such as those being used by the boys flashed out. "Now we're in for it!" exclaimed Tommy. "For the love of Mike, don't let him see us!" whispered Jimmie. "It'll spoil everything if he does," Dick submitted. The boys crowded close against the wall of the gangway and waited impatiently for Ventner to pass along.
"I fired back," replied the detective wit a grim smile, "and I guess they're lying on the floor of the passage!" Will bent closer over the wounded detective while Tommy and Sandy started down the gangway on a run, closely followed by Elmer. "Why did they shoot you?" asked Will. "I found the money," Ventner replied, "and hid it in a crevice in the wall, and they found it.
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