However, he was too wary to approach the window again, fearing some
trap, but crept cautiously along the slope of the hill through the
black shadows until he attained safe shelter close in against the dump.
His hope was that Enright's arguments would induce Lacy to discontinue
operations for the present and thus give him time in which to prepare
for resistance. In this he was not disappointed. What took place
within the office could only be guessed at, but in less than half an
hour a man emerged from the open door and hailed the fellows at work in
the shaft-house. The messenger stood in the full glare of light,
revealing to the silent watcher the face and figure of Moore,
convincing evidence that this worthy had not been seriously injured
during the late encounter.
"Hey, Tom!" he shouted.
The lantern above was waved out over the edge of the timbered platform
and a deep voice responded.
"Well, what'che want?"
"Send word down to the boys to come up. They're laid off fer a while,
an' their pay's ready for 'em."
"Lay 'em off! Who says so?"
"Lacy, of course; hustle them out now--them's the orders.
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