"Look here, Dummy, can I trust you?"

"I dunno, Master Mark. I'll do what you tell me."

"That's right. Will you fight?"

The boy's eyes flashed in the candle-light, down in the grim chamber were they stood.

"Torches--fight," he whispered. "Are you going to tackle the Darleys?"

"No; the robbers."

"T'other's best; and they're robbers too. But them'll do. Want me to come and help fight them?"

"Yes; will you?"

"Will I?" said the boy, showing his teeth. "I'll follow you anywhere, Master Mark."

"Well, I want to follow you now. Take me to your father, and--not a word to a soul."

Dummy slapped his mouth, and shut it close; then going to a niche in the rock, he pointed to a box of candles, and a much bigger one, which he opened and showed to be quite full of long sticks of hempen tow soaked in pitch, one of which he took out, and gave to Mark, and took one himself, lit it, and then led the way down, and in and out among the darkest recesses of the mine.

"Smoky," said Dummy, giving his torch a wave, and sending the black curls of fume eddying upward, to hang along the stone ceiling. Then he uttered an angry cry.

"What's the matter?"

"Hot pitch, Master Mark. Big drop splathered on to my hand."

In due time the place where Dan Rugg was working and directing the men, chipping out the rich lead ore, was reached, and he came out of the murky place.

"Ah, Master Mark," he said. "You, Dummy, put your foot on that smoky link. Want to smother us?"

"My fault, Dan," cried Mark. "Come here."

He communicated a part of the plan, and the miner's stern face began to relax more and more, till he showed his yellow teeth in a pleasant grin, and put his sharp pick under his arm, so as to indulge in a good rub of his hands.

"The varmin!" he said. "The varmin! Time it were done, Master Mark.

Oh yes, I'll pick out some lads who owe 'em a grudge, same as I do. You want eight of us? Me and seven more?"

"You and Dummy, and six more."

"Dummy! Tchah! He's no good."

Dummy silently dug his elbow into his master's ribs, but it was unnecessary.

"I want you and Dummy, and six men," said Mark decisively.

"Oh, very well, sir; you're young master; but what you can see in that boy I don't know. Nine on us," he continued thoughtfully. "Twelve o'

them. 'Taren't enough, master."

Mark hesitated. He had not meant to speak of his allies, for fear of opposition, but concluded now that it would be better, and explained everything.

"No, Master Mark; won't do, sir," said Dan, shaking his head ominously.

"No good can't come o' that. They'll be running away, and leaving us in the lurch."

"Nonsense. Eight men will be picked who, as you say, owe the ruffians a grudge, and they'll fight well."

"But they'd rather fight us, master, same as us would rather fight them."

"Not this time, Dan. We must join hands with them, and beat the robbers. Another time we may fight them."

There was a low savage snarl.

"What do you mean by that, Dummy?" cried Mark.

"You didn't tell me that Darley's boy was coming to fight alongside o'

you, Master Mark."

"Then I tell you now, Dummy," said Mark haughtily. "We've joined together to crush the robbers; so hold your tongue."

"Ay, he'd better," growled Dan. "Well, Master Mark, I don't quite like it; but if you say it's to be done, why, done it shall be."

"And you'll make the men you choose be secret?"

"Why, master? Of course Sir Edward knows?"

"Not a word; and he is not to know till we bring in the prisoners."

"Whee-ew!" whistled the old miner; and then he chuckled. "Well," he said, "you have growed up a young game-c.o.c.k! All right, Master Mark.

We'll come; only you must bear all the blame if the master don't like it. You order me to do this?"

"Yes, I order you," said Mark firmly. "It is time it was done."

"That's so, Master Mark, and that's enough. I begin to feel as if I should like a fight."

"And you shall have it. I'll be outside, by the horse-stone, with eight swords, eight pikes, and eight belts."

"That's good, master; but we must bring our picks as well. We can handle them better than other tools."

"Very well. You leave your lads down at the bottom, and come up with Dummy to fetch the arms; and mind this: I want to show up well before the Darleys. You'll pick fine trusty lads who can fight?"

"You leave that to me, Master Mark," said the old miner. "I'm proud of our family as you are. They shan't have eight fellows as can equal us, 'cepting me and that stoopid boy."

"Don't you mind what he says, Dummy," cried Mark laughingly; "he doesn't mean it. There, come along. I want you to help me pick out some good sharp swords and pikes. Mind, Dan, I shall be waiting for you as soon as the last light's out."

"I shall be there, Master Mark," replied the old miner; and the two lads returned to daylight, along the pa.s.sages sparkling with crystals and bits of ore.

Meanwhile, Ralph was as busy arranging with the retainers at Cliff Castle, and as soon as he had taken Nick Garth into his confidence, that gentleman lay down on the ground, and hid his face.

"Why, what does that mean?" cried the lad.