he magistrates had been able to discover nothing。
A few days afterwards； James Starr； guided by Harry； came himself to inspect this curious natural opening into the coal mine。 〃Well；〃 said he； 〃here is enough to convince the most superstitious among us。 Farewell to all their brownies； goblins； and fire…maidens now！〃
〃I hardly think； Mr。 Starr； we ought to congratulate ourselves；〃 replied Harry。 〃Whatever it is we have instead of these things； it can't be better； and may be worse than they are。〃
〃That's true； Harry；〃 said the engineer； 〃but what's to be done？ It is plain that； whatever the beings are who hide in the mine； they reach the surface of the earth by this passage。 No doubt it was the light of torches waved by them during that dark and stormy night which attracted the MOTALA towards the rocky coast； and like the wreckers
of former days； they would have plundered the unfortunate vessel； had it not been for Jack Ryan and his friends。 Anyhow； so far it is evident； and here is the mouth of the den。 As to its occupants； the question is…… Are they here still？〃
〃I say yes； because Nell trembles when we mention them…… yes； because Nell will not； or dare not； speak about them；〃 answered Harry in a tone of decision。
Harry was surely in the right。 Had these mysterious denizens of the pit abandoned it； or ceased to visit the spot； what reason could the girl have had for keeping silence？
James Starr could not rest till he h