"Yes; I'll do that, all right. It won't violate any regulation of the department that I know of."

"Thank you. Say nothing to anyone of what I have asked you to-night, please."

"I think I have got something on our friend, the walking delegate, now,"

muttered the lad triumphantly, as he made his way toward home. He had gone but a short distance when he met five of the members of the union, all dressed in their best, hurrying along the street.

Steve halted and peered at them suspiciously.

"h.e.l.lo, where are you fellows going?" he demanded.

"To the superintendent's office."

"What for?"

"We are going to present our demands. You know the doc.u.ment we decided to present to him to-day?"

Steve did not know, but he did not say so.

"You are going there now?"

"Yes; Mr. Cavard is going to meet us there at eight o'clock. We are the committee. You lost your secretary job last night. That's what comes of being too fresh," jeered the speaker.

"So that's the game, is it?" muttered Steve. "I should like to be present at that committee meeting. And I'm going to be there, too," he added, after a moment's reflection. "They can do no more than put me out."

CHAPTER XIV

MINERS MAKE DEMANDS

"YOU go on about your business. You do not belong with this committee,"

snapped Cavard as the Iron Boy joined them at the entrance to the superintendent's office, where the meeting was to take place.

"If the superintendent doesn't wish to see me I will leave. You have no business to give me orders, so attend to your own affairs, if you will be so good."

The lad slipped in behind the others and stood near the door of the private office, where, with the others, he was awaiting the arrival of Mr. Penton. The latter entered very shortly afterwards.

"Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you this evening?" questioned the executive smilingly.

Cavard cleared his throat, a.s.suming his most suave air.

"In the first place, Mr. Penton, we are a duly authorized committee with power to wait upon you. This boy Rush is not a member of the committee.

We represent the newly formed union. Will you kindly ask the boy to withdraw?"

The superintendent elevated his eyebrows in mild surprise.

"Is he not a member of the union?"

"Yes," admitted Cavard with evident reluctance.

"And you are here in the interests of the union?"

"Certainly, sir."

"Then I see no objection to his remaining. If you are here in the interest, as you say, or in behalf of the men of our own mines, any one of the other men is free to be present and to hear all that takes place between us. Rush, sit down, if you wish."

Steve, without showing either triumph or satisfaction in his face, quietly seated himself against the wall. Cavard's face was dark, but he made no reply to the superintendent's word in the matter.

"As I already have said, we represent the new union," continued the Russian. "At a meeting last night certain grievances that have long existed in the mine--that is, you understand, it is the union speaking, not myself personally?"

"Oh, certainly. Go on," smiled the superintendent.

"Certain grievances were taken up and discussed. The result of that discussion was the drawing up of certain demands, which the miners believe you will not hesitate to grant. It had been understood that these concessions already had been under consideration by the mine officials."

"I am not aware that any particular concessions to the miners have been contemplated. What are your demands?"

"The demands of the union are for an eight-hour day and an increase in the scale of wages. Neither demand is at all unreasonable----"

"Let me see your papers," interrupted Mr. Penton.

The walking delegate and president handed the paper containing the miners' demands to the superintendent. Mr. Penton read the doc.u.ment through quickly, then went over it again.

"These are very radical demands, Mr. Cavard," he said, glancing up at the walking delegate.

"We think not, sir."

"And in the event of these demands being refused, may I ask what it is the purpose of the members of the union to do?"

"That is a matter for future consideration. I have no doubt, however, that a satisfactory arrangement can be made between us."

"What mines are included in the union?"

"All of the mines belonging to this company, both surface and underground, together with the independent mines on the range. The other and independent mines have been represented by delegates at the meetings thus far."

"You say this was decided upon at the meeting last night?"

"Yes, sir."

"And it was a wholly representative meeting?"

"It was, sir. The delegates from the various shafts were on hand, though many were unable to attend."

"May I say something, sir?" asked Steve.

"Certainly. What is it, Rush?"