The lamps, fastened to long ropes, were lowered down the shaft, and it was thus ascertained that the four last ladders were wanting.
As soon as the lamps had been brought up, the men fixed to the landing a rope ladder, which unrolled itself down the shaft, and all descended one after the other.

Jack Ryan's descent was the most difficult, for he went first down the swinging ladders, and fastened them for the others.
The space at the bottom of the shaft was completely deserted; but Sir William was much surprised at hearing Jack Ryan exclaim, "Here are bits of the ladders, and some of them half burnt!" "Burnt ?" repeated Sir William.

"Indeed, here sure enough are cinders which have evidently been cold a long time!" "Do you think, sir," asked Ryan, "that Mr.Starr could have had any reason for burning the ladders, and thus breaking of communication with the world ?" "Certainly not," answered Sir William Elphiston, who had become very thoughtful.

"Come, my lad, lead us to the cottage.

There we shall ascertain the truth." Jack Ryan shook his head, as if not at all convinced.