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.