as not free from uneasiness. Harry's
determination to follow her wherever she went compelled her to promise
not to escape from her friends.

During the week preceding the wedding, no accident whatever occurred
in Aberfoyle. The system of watching was carefully maintained, but the
miners began to recover from the panic, which had seriously interrupted
the work of excavation. James Starr continued to look out for Silfax.
The old man having vindictively declared that Nell should never marry
Simon's son, it was natural to suppose that he would not hesitate to
commit any violent deed which would hinder their union.

The examination of the mine was carried on minutely. Every passage and
gallery was searched, up to those higher ranges which opened out among
the ruins of Dundonald Castle. It was rightly supposed that through
this old building Silfax passed out to obtain what was needful for the
support of his miserable existence (which he must have done, either by
purchasing or thieving).

As to the "fire-maidens," James Starr began to think that appearance
must have been produced by some jet of fire-damp gas which, issuing from
that part of the pit, could be lighted by Silfax. He was not far wrong;
but all search for proof of this was fruitless, and the continued strain
of anxiety in this perpetual effort to detect a malignant and invisible
being rendered the engineer--outwardly calm--an unhappy man.

389

As the wedding-day approached, his dread of some catastrophe increased,
and he could not but speak of it to the old overman, whose uneasiness
soon more than equaled his own. At length the day came. Silfax had given
no token of existence.

By daybreak the entire population of Coal Town was astir. Work was
suspended; overseers and workmen alike desired to do honor to Simon Ford
and his son. They all felt they owed a large debt of gratitude to these
bold and persevering men, by whose means the mine had been restored to
its former prosperity. The ceremony was to take place at eleven o'clock,
in St. Giles's chapel, which stood on the shores of Loch Malcolm.

At the appointed time, Harry left the cottage, supporting his mother
on his arm, while Simon led the bride. Following them came Starr, the
engineer, composed in manner, but in reality nerved to expect the worst,
and Jack Ryan, stepping superb in full Highland piper's costume. Then
came the other mining engineers, the principal people of Coal Town,
the friends and co