e wick； and the flame burned in the open air。
As they had expected； there was no explosion； but； what was more serious； there was not even the slight crackling which indicates the presence of a small quantity of firedamp。 Simon took the stick which Harry was holding； fixed his lamp to the end of it； and raised it high above his head； up to where the gas； by reason of its buoyancy； would naturally accumulate。 The flame of the lamp； burning straight and clear； revealed no trace of the carburetted hydrogen。
〃Close to the wall；〃 said the engineer。
〃Yes；〃 responded Ford； carrying the lamp to that part of the wall at which he and his son had； the evening before； proved the escape of gas。
The old miner's arm trembled whilst he tried to hoist the lamp up。 〃Take my place； Harry；〃 said he。
Harry took the stick； and successively presented the lamp to the different fissures in the rock； but he shook his head； for of that slight crackling peculiar to escaping fire…damp he heard nothing。 There was no flame。 Evidently not a particle of gas was escaping through the rock。
〃Nothing！〃 cried Ford； clenching his fist with a gesture rather of anger than disappointment。
A cry escaped Harry。
〃What's the matter？〃 asked Starr quickly。
〃Someone has stopped up the cracks in the schist！〃
〃Is that true？〃 exclaimed the old miner。
〃Look； father！〃 Harry was not mistaken。 The obstruction of the fissures was clearly visible by the light of the lamp。 It had been recently done with lime； leaving on the rock a long whitish mark； badly concealed with coal dust。
〃It's he！〃 exclaimed Harry。 〃It can only be he！〃
〃He？〃 repeated James Starr in amazement。
〃Yes！〃 returned the young man； 〃that mysterious being who h