It was the boy who first broke the silence, and it was easy to see, from his brisk, businesslike manner, that he thoroughly knew how to take care of himself.
"Do I understand, sir," he said, going at once to the subject in his mind,—"do I understand that a reward of one hundred pounds is offered to whoever will take passage in the car that is about to be dropped through the earth?"
"Yes, my boy, that is the offer; but you appear somewhat young to try an experiment which so many older heads are afraid to risk."
"I beg of you to let me go, sir," said the boy, earnestly; "for that hundred pounds means life or death to my poor mother."
"What is your name, my boy?" the doctor asked kindly.
"William Swindon, sir."
"Well, William, do you not see what a responsibility I should be taking if I were to allow you, a minor, to go on this trip? Suppose anything should happen to you; could I ever forgive myself for letting you go?"
"I will gladly take the risks," exclaimed William, eagerly. "And pray do not believe that because I am only sixteen I do not know how to
