“I am speaking from what I know at first hand. I saw the disaster, I saw the pit-mouth boarded over and covered with canvas. I know a man who was driven out of camp this morning for complaining about the delay in starting the fan. It has been over three days since the explosion, and still nothing has been done.” Mr. Parker proceeded to fire a series of questions, in the sharp, suspicious manner customary to prosecuting officials. But Hal did not mind that; it was the man’s business to make sure. Presently he demanded to know how he could get corroboration of Hal’s statements. “You’ll have to go up there,” was the reply. “You say the facts are known to the men. Give me the names of some of them.” “I have no authority to give their names, Mr. Parker.” “What authority do you need? They will tell me, won’t they?” “They may, and they may not. One man has already lost his job; not every man cares to lose his job.” “You expect me to go up there on your bare say-so?” “I offer you more than my say-so. I offer an affidavit.” “But what do I know about you?” “You know that I worked in North Valley--or you can verify the fact by using the telephone. My name is Joe Smith, and I was a miner’s helper in Number Two.” But that was not sufficient, said Mr. Parker; his time was valuable, and before he took a trip to North Valley he must have the names of witnesses who would corroborate these statements. “I offer you an affidavit!” exclaimed Hal. “I say that I have knowledge that a crime is being committed--that a hundred and seven human lives are being sacrificed. You don’t consider that a sufficient reason for even making inquiry?” The District Attorney answered again that he desired to do his duty, he desired to protect the workers in their rights; but he could not afford to go off on a “wild goose chase,” he must have the names of witnesses. And Hal found himself wondering. Was the man merely taking the first pretext for doing nothing? Or could it be that an official of the state would go as far as to help the company by listing the names of “trouble-makers”? In spite of his distrust, Hal was resolved to give the man every chance he could. He went over the whole story of the disaster. He took Mr. Parker up to the camp, showed him the agonised women and terrified children crowding about the pit-mouth, driven back with clubs and revolvers. He named family after family, widows and mothers and orphans. He told of the miners clamouring for a chance to risk their lives to save their fellows. He let his own feelings sweep him along; he pleaded with fervour for his suffering friends. “Young man,” said the other, breaking in upon his eloquence, “how long have you been working in North Valley?” “About ten weeks.” “How long have you been working in coal-mines?” “That was my first experience.”