s Thus the fall of a portion of the vast vaulted dome was proved to have been premeditated by man； and by man's hand had it been effected。
〃It is impossible to doubt it；〃 said James Starr； 〃and who can say what might not have happened had the sea； instead of a little loch； been let in upon us？〃
〃You may well say that；〃 cried the old overman； with a feeling of pride in his beloved mine； 〃for nothing less than a sea would have drowned our Aberfoyle。 But； once more； what possible interest could any human being have in the destruction of our works？〃
〃It is quite inprehensible；〃 replied James Starr。 〃This case is something perfectly unlike that of a band of mon criminals； who； concealing themselves in dens and caves； go forth to rob and pillage the surrounding country。 The evil deeds of such men would certainly； in the course of three years have betrayed their existence and lurking…places。 Neither can it be； as I sometimes used to think； that smugglers or coiners carried on their illegal practices in some distant and unknown corner of these prodigious caverns； and were consequently anxious to drive us out of them。 But no one coins false money or obtains contraband goods only to conceal them！
〃Yet it is clear that an implacable enemy has sworn the ruin of New Aberfoyle； and that some interest urges him to seek in every possible way to wreak his hatred upon us。 He appears to be too weak to act openly； and lays his schemes in secret； but displays such intelligence as to render him a most formidable foe。
〃My friends； he must understand better than we do the secrets of our domain； since he has all this time eluded our vigilance。 He must be a man experienced in mining； skilled beyond the most skillful…… that's certain； Simon！ We have proof en