to explain it by natural causes。〃
〃I am quite of your mind； Mr。 James；〃 replied Simon； 〃but take my advice； and say nothing about it； let us make all researches ourselves。〃
〃Oh； I know the result of such research beforehand！〃 cried the engineer。
〃And what will it be； then？〃
〃We shall find proofs of malevolence； but not the malefactor。〃
〃But he exists！ he is there！ Where can he lie concealed？ Is it possible to conceive that the most depraved human being could； single…handed； carry out an idea so infernal as that of bursting through the bed of a lake？ I believe I shall end by thinking； like Jack Ryan； that the evil demon of the mine revenges himself on us for having invaded his domain。〃
Nell was allowed to hear as little as possible of these discussions。 Indeed； she showed no desire to enter into them； although it was very evident that she shared in the anxieties of her adopted parents。 The melancholy in her countenance bore witness to much mental agitation。
It was at length resolved that James Starr； together with Simon and Harry； should return to the scene of the disaster； and endeavor to satisfy themselves as to the cause of it。 They mentioned their project to no one。 To those unacquainted with the group of facts on which it was based； the opinion of Starr and his friends could not fail to appear wholly inadmissible。
A few days later； the three friends proceeded in a small boat to examine the natural pillars on which had rested the solid earth forming the basin of Loch Katrine。 They discovered that they had been right in suspecting that the massive columns had been undermined by blasting。 The blackened traces of explosion were to be seen； the waters having subsided below the level of these mysterious operation