ng quarries, and now
they supported the ground, that is to say, the double layer of tertiary
and quaternary soil, which formerly rested on the seam itself. Darkness
now filled the galleries, formerly lighted either by the miner's lamp
or by the electric light, the use of which had been introduced in the
mines.

"Will you not rest a while, Mr. Starr?" asked the young man.

"No, my lad," replied the engineer, "for I am anxious to be at your
father's cottage."

"Follow me then, Mr. Starr. I will guide you, and yet I daresay you
could find your way perfectly well through this dark labyrinth."

"Yes, indeed! I have the whole plan of the old pit still in my head."

Harry, followed by the engineer, and holding his lamp high the better
to light their way, walked along a high gallery, like the nave of a
cathedral. Their feet still struck against the wooden sleepers which
used to support the rails.

They had not gone more than fifty paces, when a huge stone fell at the
feet of James Starr. "Take care, Mr. Starr!" cried Harry, seizing the
engineer by the arm.

"A stone, Harry! Ah! these old vaultings are no longer quite secure, of
course, and--"

"Mr. Starr," said Harry Ford, "it seems to me that stone was thrown,
thrown as by the hand of man!"

"Thrown!" exclaimed James Starr. "What do you mean, lad?"

"Nothing, nothing, Mr. Starr," replied Harry evasively, his anxious gaze
endeavoring to pierce the darkness. "Let us go on. Take my arm, sir, and
don't be afraid of making a false step."

"Here I am, Harry." And they both advanced, whilst Harry looked on
every side, throwing the light of his lamp into all the corners of the
gallery.

"Shall we soon be there?" asked the engineer.

"In ten minutes at most."

"Good."

"But," muttered Harry, "that was a most singular thing. It is the first
time such an accident has happened to me.

"That stone falling just at the moment we were passing."

"Harry, it was a mere chance."

"Chance," replied the young man, shaking his head. "Yes, chance." He
stopped and listened.

"What is the matter, Harry?" asked the engineer.

"I thought I heard someone walking behind us," replied the young
miner, listening more attentively. Then he added, "No, I must have been
mistaken. Lean harder on my arm, Mr. Starr. Use me like a staff."

"A good solid staff, Harry," answered James Starr. "I could not wish for
a better than a fine fellow like you."

They continued in silence along the