At the same time he felt that a walk in the cool night air would calm his nerves, and he prepared to descend, when a new difficulty assailed him. It was past midnight now, every one in the place had retired, and no doubt he would have some difficulty in getting out. "I say the people here are mad," he thought; "they will think me mad. Well, let them." He went down as cautiously as he could, and found that his difficulty about getting out was only imaginary, for the door was easily opened, and, as he closed it behind him, and felt the cool night air upon his forehead, he uttered a sigh of relief. His plans were soon made; he would go first to Pengelly, and knock him up and hear his report: for the manager was going to stay there a couple or three hours after his superior had left the mine. He felt some compunction in this; but he knew Pengelly's interest in the works, and how willing he would be to answer questions; so he walked on, thinking over two or three plans which he had been revolving in his mind to propose to Mr Penwynn for Pengelly's benefit, and as a reward for his discovery. Every thing was very still under the brilliant starlit sky, and as Geoffrey reached the narrow lane where Pengelly lived, he again felt some little compunction at arousing him; but, as he had gone so far, he determined to proceed. The slight tap he gave on the door was quite sufficient to waken the miner, and Geoffrey plainly heard him leap out of bed. The next moment the casement just above his head was opened. "What's the matter?" he said quickly. "Nothing, I hope, Pengelly." "Oh, it's you, sir!" "Yes, it is I, Pengelly. Tell me, did you leave all right?" "Yes, sir; quite right." "At what time?" "I was there till nine, sir. Have you been since?" "No, Pengelly; but I have got an uneasy feeling upon me that something might be wrong. I couldn't sleep, so I came on to you." "Guilty conscience," thought Pengelly. "I think," continued Geoffrey, "I'll walk on down there to see if every thing is right. Good-night." "No, sir, stop a minute, and I'll come too." Geoffrey protested, but as he protested Pengelly jumped into his flannel trousers and frock, and in the time that a modern gentleman would have taken to unbutton his eyelids and think about his bath, the miner was dressed and coming down. "It's a shame to rouse you up, Pengelly, about such a fancy as mine," said Geoffrey. "I was restless, and that made me fidget about the mine." "Well, sir, she's worth fidgetting about," said Pengelly. "Let's go down. It won't do any harm. There's the two engine-men on, and it will show them that we may we expected at any time, and teach them their duty."