ld？〃
〃Certainly not；〃 answered Sir William Elphiston； who
had bee very thoughtful。 〃e； my lad； lead us to the cottage。 There we shall ascertain the truth。〃
Jack Ryan shook his head； as if not at all convinced。 Then； taking a lamp from the hands of one of the men； he proceeded with a rapid step along the principal passage of the Dochart pit。 The others all followed him。
In a quarter of an hour the party arrived at the excavation in which stood Simon Ford's cottage。 There was no light in the window。 Ryan darted to the door； and threw it open。 The house was empty。
They examined all the rooms in the somber habitation。 No trace of violence was to be found。 All was in order； as if old Madge had been still there。 There was even an ample supply of provisions； enough to last the Ford family for several days。
The absence of the tenants of the cottage was quite unaccountable。 But was it not possible to find out the exact time they had quitted it？ Yes； for in this region； where there was no difference of day or night； Madge was accustomed to mark with a cross each day in her almanac。
The almanac was pinned up on the wall； and there the last cross had been made at the 6th of December； that is to say； a day after the arrival of James Starr； to which Ryan could positively swear。 It was clear that on the 6th of December； ten days ago； Simon Ford； his wife； son； and guest； had quitted the cottage。 Could a fresh exploration of the mine； undertaken by the engineer； account for such a long absence？ Certainly not。
It was intensely dark all round。 The lamps held by the men gave light only just where they were standing。 Suddenly Jack Ryan uttered a cry。 〃Look there； there！〃
His finger was pointing to a tolerably bright lig