The lad could hardly wait until night to see his companion. During the afternoon Steve obtained further evidence to strengthen his case. By quitting time his face had taken on a look of stern determination that had not been there when he went to work that morning. "What luck?" demanded Bob, in a low voice, as he joined his companion near the mouth of the shaft. "The best," answered Steve. "Tell me about it." "Not here. Wait until we get home. I do not dare to speak of it now. Someone might overhear us and then all our efforts would have been for nothing. I'll tell you all about it before we sit down to supper." "Well, that beats all," muttered Jarvis. "I didn't think we should succeed so easily. What are you going to do about it?" "I'll answer that question also when we get home, old man." The boys did not wait until after supper that night. Closing and locking the door after reaching their room, Steve asked: "How many tons did the Spooner contract turn out to-day?" "Forty by the dump cars." "Is it possible?" "Yes. What does the tally show?" Steve leaned over and whispered in his companion's ear, whereat Bob uttered a low, long-drawn whistle. "You--don't--say?" "That is exactly what I do say." "This will raise a merry row." "I think it will. And there's another thing: I will wager that this is not the only place the same game is being worked." "Maybe you're right. What shall we do?" "Go to the superintendent. We will go to him as soon as we finish our supper." "But he isn't at his office." "No. We will go direct to his house. I rather think he will be glad enough to see us when he hears what our mission is. Come, now, we'll go to supper, but not a word at the table," warned Steve. "I should say not." Supper finished, the Iron Boys went to their room, returning a few minutes later and strolling from the house as though they were going nowhere in particular. After they had put a block between themselves and the boarding house they quickened their pace. Bob was excited, but Steve was as calm and collected as if nothing unusual had occurred. "Do you know where the superintendent lives, Steve?" "Of course I do. I make it my business to know everything that I ought to know. 'Live and learn' is my motto. It's a good one for you to adopt, too." "I am beginning to think you are right." Reaching the house of the general superintendent, Rush halted. The blinds had not been drawn and, looking through the front room into the dining room beyond, the Iron Boys could see the superintendent seated at the table with his family. "I think we had better walk up and down a few times until Mr. Penton finishes his supper," suggested Rush. "He'll be better natured if we do, I guess," agreed Jarvis. "You have a long head on you, Steve, but the trouble with you is that you keep that fact so carefully concealed that a fellow doesn't get wise to it until it's too late."