ly determined to reach the madman before he could
do the dreadful deed of destruction.

Silfax saw him coming. Instantly he smashed the glass of his lamp, and,
snatching out the burning wick, waved it in the air.

Silence like death fell upon the astounded multitude. James Starr, in
the calmness of despair, marvelled that the inevitable explosion was
even for a moment delayed.

Silfax, gazing upwards with wild and contracted features, appeared
to become aware that the gas, lighter than the lower atmosphere, was
accumulating far up under the dome; and at a sign from him the owl,
seizing in its claw the lighted match, soared upwards to the vaulted
roof, towards which the madman pointed with outstretched arm.

Another second and New Aberfoyle would be no more.

Suddenly Nell sprang from Harry's arms, and, with a bright look of
inspiration, she ran to the very brink of the waters of the lake.
"Harfang! Harfang!" cried she in a clear voice; "here! come to me!"

The faithful bird, surprised, appeared to hesitate in its flight.
Presently, recognizing Nell's voice, it dropped the burning match into
the water, and, describing a wide circle, flew downwards, alighting at
the maiden's feet.

Then a terrible cry echoed through the vaulted roofs. It was the last
sound uttered by old Silfax.

Just as Jack Ryan laid his hand on the edge of the canoe, the old man,
foiled in his purpose of revenge, cast himself headlong into the waters
of the lake.

"Save him! oh, save him!" shrieked Nell in a voice of agony. Immediately
Harry plunged into the water, and, swimming towards Jack Ryan, he dived
repeatedly.

But his efforts were useless. The waters of Loch Malcolm yielded not
their prey: they closed forever over Silfax.

CHAPTER XIX. THE LEGEND OF OLD SILFAX

Six months after these events, the marriage, so strangely interrupted,
was finally celebrated in St. Giles's chapel, and the young couple, who
still wore mourning garments, returned to the cottage. James Starr
and Simon Ford, henceforth free from the anxieties which had so long
distressed them, joyously presided over the entertainment which followed
the ceremony, and prolonged it to the following day.

On this memorable occasion, Jack Ryan, in his favorite character of
piper, and in all the glory of full dress, blew up his chanter, and
astonished the company by the unheard of achievement of playing,
singing, and dancing all at once.

It is needless to say that