bearer of the strange light had apparently wished to point out to Sir William。 This was a natural opening。 The passage which James Starr and his panions had made for themselves with dynamite had been pletely blocked up with rocks laid one upon another。
So； then； whilst they had been exploring the vast cavern； the way back had been purposely closed against them by a hostile hand。
CHAPTER X COAL TOWN
THREE years after the events which have just been related； the guide…books remended as a 〃great attraction；〃 to the numerous tourists who roam over the county of Stirling； a visit of a few hours to the mines of New Aberfoyle。
No mine in any country； either in the Old or New World； could present a more curious aspect。
To begin with； the visitor was transported without danger or fatigue to a level with the workings； at fifteen hundred feet below the surface of the ground。 Seven miles to the southwest of Callander opened a slanting tunnel； adorned with a castellated entrance； turrets and battlements。 This lofty tunnel gently sloped straight to the stupendous crypt； hollowed out so strangely in the bowels of the earth。
A double line of railway； the wagons being moved by hydraulic power； plied from hour to hour to and from the village thus buried in the subsoil of the county； and which bore the rather ambitious title of Coal Town。
Arrived in Coal Town； the visitor found himself in a place where electricity played a principal part as an agent of heat and light。 Although the ventilation shafts were numerous； they were not sufficient to admit much daylight into New Aberfoyle； yet it had abundance of light。 This was shed from numbers of electric discs； some suspended from the vaulted roofs； others hanging on the natural pillars……