Burdoch strode back and walked up to the superintendent. "Mr. Hawk," he said, "you have shut up the boy in the mine. Unless you release him I will shoot you!" Hawk turned pale, but tried to bluster. "You are mistaken," he said. "At any rate, I won't be talked to in this style." "You can't help yourself." "What motive could I have for confining the boy?" "You have probably found out that he represents your partner, old Tom Nixon, and that he has come here to find out the real state of the mine." "You astonish me, and I don't believe you. Nixon wouldn't send a kid like that." "We won't argue the point. That boy must be released!" "He is not in the mine." "I intend to go down and see." "Oh, very well; you can go!" "You must go with us." "I have not time." In reply, Burdoch put a pistol to the side of his head. "Be careful," said the affrighted superintendent, "it might go off!" "Will you go down?" "Yes." They started, Burdoch watching Hawk closely, ready at the slightest sign of treachery to shoot him. But Hawk had made up his mind to deceive him if he could. He did not dare to resort to violence in the case of a man so strong and determined as Joshua Burdoch. They descended to the bottom of the mine, and the party got out. "Now," said Hawk, waving his hand, "you are at liberty to search for yourself, and if you can find the boy, do so!" Burdoch and his friend went about the mine, peering everywhere, but no trace of Gerald's presence could be found. Burdoch became uneasy and discouraged. He had no confidence in the superintendent. He felt convinced that he was being deceived, but how could he prove it? "Well," said Hawk, who had not accompanied them, "have you found him?" There was a triumphant smile on his face, which excited Burdoch's suspicions. "Not yet," he answered, briefly. "Oh, well, you can continue your search," and he walked away. "McKee," said Burdoch, abruptly, "have you ever been in this mine before?" "Yes; two years ago I was employed here for a few weeks." "Is there any place—any secret place—besides those that we have visited where the boy could be confined?" "Yes," answered McKee, with a sudden thought, "there is a vault not now used, rather apart from the rest of the mine, where he might be concealed." "Can you guide me there?" asked Burdoch, eagerly. "Yes, I think so." "Then do so in mercy's name!" McKee's memory served him well. He led the way to the side excavation. It was shut off from the rest of the mine by a wooden door. That door was locked. "This is the place," said Burdoch. "Now to find out if Gerald is here!" He struck with his heavy jack-knife on the door, and then waited. There was an answering knock. "That is he!" he exclaimed. He bent down and called through the keyhole: "Are you inside, Gerald?" There was a faint sound. He could not hear the words, but he was convinced that it was Gerald's voice.