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They left the car and followed a drift which took them into a

region of perpetual darkness, into which the electric lights did

not penetrate. Margaret noticed that her host carried his candle

with ease, holding it at an angle that gave the best light and

most resistance to the air, while she on her part had much ado to

keep hers from going out. Frequently she had to stop and let the

tiny flame renew its hold on the base of supplies. So, without

his knowing it, she fell behind gradually, and his explanations

of stopes, drifts, air-drills, and pay-streaks fell only upon the

already enlightened ears of Mrs. Collins.