only do like me, and set all the queer things down to the account of the
goblins of the mine, you would be easier in your mind."

"But, Jack, you know very well that these goblins exist only in your
imagination, and that, since the works here have been reopened, not a
single one has been seen."

"That's true, Harry; but if no spirits have been seen, neither has
anyone else to whom you could attribute the extraordinary doings we want
to account for."

"I shall discover them."

"Ah, Harry! Harry! it's not so easy to catch the spirits of New
Aberfoyle!"

"I shall find out the spirits as you call them," said Harry, in a tone
of firm conviction.

"Do you expect to be able to punish them?"

"Both punish and reward. Remember, if one hand shut us up in that
passage, another hand delivered us! I shall not soon forget that."

"But, Harry, how can we be sure that these two hands do not belong to
the same body?"

"What can put such a notion in your head, Jack?" asked Harry.

"Well, I don't know. Creatures that live in these holes, Harry, don't
you see? they can't be made like us, eh?"

"But they ARE just like us, Jack."

"Oh, no! don't say that, Harry! Perhaps some madman managed to get in
for a time."

"A madman! No madman would have formed such connected plans, or done
such continued mischief as befell us after the breaking of the ladders."

"Well, but anyhow he has done no harm for the last three years, either
to you, Harry, or any of your people."

"No matter, Jack," replied Harry; "I am persuaded that this malignant
being, whoever he is, has by no means given up his evil intentions. I
can hardly say on what I found my convictions. But at any rate, for
the sake of the new works, I must and will know who he is and whence he
comes."

"For the sake of the new works did you say?" asked Jack, considerably
surprised.

"I said so, Jack," returned Harry. "I may be mistaken, but, to me, all
that has happened proves the existence of an interest in this mine in
strong opposition to ours. Many a time have I considered the matter; I
feel almost sure of it. Just consider the whole series of inexplicable
circumstances, so singularly linked together. To begin with, the
anonymous letter, contradictory to that of my father, at once proves
that some man had become aware of our projects, and wished to prevent
their accomplishment. Mr. Starr comes to see us at the Dochart pit. No
sooner does he enter it with me than an imme