ew his persecution of those who ventured
to work this rich mine?

At the cottage, some days later, James Starr thus discussed the matter
with the old man and his son: "Well, Simon," said he, "to my thinking
we must class this circumstance with the others for which we still seek
elucidation, although it is no doubt possible to explain it by natural
causes."

"I am quite of your mind, Mr. James," replied Simon, "but take my
advice, and say nothing about it; let us make all researches ourselves."

"Oh, I know the result of such research beforehand!" cried the engineer.

"And what will it be, then?"

"We shall find proofs of malevolence, but not the malefactor."

"But he exists! he is there! Where can he lie concealed? Is it possible
to conceive that the most depraved human being could, single-handed,
carry out an idea so infernal as that of bursting through the bed of a
lake? I believe I shall end by thinking, like Jack Ryan, that the evil
demon of the mine revenges himself on us for having invaded his domain."

Nell was allowed to hear as little as possible of these discussions.
Indeed, she showed no desire to enter into them, although it was very
evident that she shared in the anxieties of her adopted parents. The
melancholy in her countenance bore witness to much mental agitation.

It was at length resolved that James Starr, together with Simon and
Harry, should return to the scene of the disaster, and endeavor to
satisfy themselves as to the cause of it. They mentioned their project
to no one. To those unacquainted with the group of facts on which it
was based, the opinion of Starr and his friends could not fail to appear
wholly inadmissible.

A few days later, the three friends proceeded in a small boat to examine
the natural pillars on which had rested the solid earth forming the
basin of Loch Katrine. They discovered that they had been right in
suspecting that the massive columns had been undermined by blasting.
The blackened traces of explosion were to be seen, the waters having
subsided below the level of these mysterious operations Thus the fall of
a portion of the vast vaulted dome was proved to have been premeditated
by man, and by man's hand had it been effected.

"It is impossible to doubt it," said James Starr; "and who can say what
might not have happened had the sea, instead of a little loch, been let
in upon us?"

"You may well say that," cried the old overman, with a feeling of pride
in his