“Hello, Mr. Stone,” was the reply. “I want to talk to you,” said the boss. “All right, sir.” And then, under his breath, “He’s got me!” “Come up to my house,” said Stone; and Hal followed, feeling as if hand-cuffs were already on his wrists. “Say,” said the man, as they walked, “I thought you were going to tell me if you’d heard any talk.” “I haven’t heard any, sir.” “Well,” continued Stone, “you want to get busy; there’s sure to be kickers in every coal-camp.” And deep within, Hal drew a sigh of relief. It was a false alarm! They came to the boss’s house, and he took a chair on the piazza and motioned Hal to take another. They sat in semi-darkness, and Stone dropped his voice as he began. “What I want to talk to you about now is something else--this election.” “Election, sir?” “Didn’t you know there was one? The Congressman in this district died, and there’s a special election three weeks from next Tuesday.” “I see, sir.” And Hal chuckled inwardly. He would get the information which Tom Olson had recommended to him! “You ain’t heard any talk about it?” inquired the pit-boss. “Nothing at all, sir. I never pay much attention to politics--it ain’t in my line.” “Well, that’s the way I like to hear a miner talk!” said the pit-boss, with heartiness. “If they all had sense enough to leave politics to the politicians, they’d be a sight better off. What they need is to tend to their own jobs.” “Yes, sir,” agreed Hal, meekly--“like I had to tend to them mules, if I didn’t want to get the colic.” The boss smiled appreciatively. “You’ve got more sense than most of ’em. If you’ll stand by me, there’ll be a chance for you to move up in the world.” “Thank you, Mr. Stone,” said Hal. “Give me a chance.” “Well now, here’s this election. Every year they send us a bunch of campaign money to handle. A bit of it might come your way.” “I could use it, I reckon,” said Hal, brightening visibly. “What is it you want?” There was a pause, while Stone puffed on his pipe. He went on, in a business-like manner. “What I want is somebody to feel things out a bit, and let me know the situation. I thought it better not to use the men that generally work for me, but somebody that wouldn’t be suspected. Down in Sheridan and Pedro they say the Democrats are making a big stir, and the company’s worried. I suppose you know the ‘G. F. C.’ is Republican.” “I’ve heard so.”