Starr," replied Harry evasively, his anxious
gaze endeavoring to pierce the darkness. "Let us go on.
Take my arm, sir, and don't be afraid of making a false step."
"Here I am, Harry." And they both advanced, whilst Harry looked
on every side, throwing the light of his lamp into all the corners
of the gallery.
"Shall we soon be there?" asked the engineer.
"In ten minutes at most."
"Good."
"But," muttered Harry, "that was a most singular thing.
It is the first time such an accident has happened to me.
That stone falling just at the moment we were passing."
"Harry, it was a mere chance."
"Chance," replied the young man, shaking his head. "Yes, chance."
He stopped and listened.
"What is the matter, Harry?" asked the engineer.
"I thought I heard someone walking behind us," replied the
young miner, listening more attentively. Then he added,
"No, I must have been mistaken. Lean harder on my arm,
Mr. Starr. Use me like a staff."
"A good solid staff, Harry," answered James Starr. "I could not wish
for a better than a fine fellow like you."
They continued in silence along the dark nave. Harry was
evidently preoccupied, and frequently turned, trying to catch,
either some distant noise, or remote glimmer of light.
But behind and before, all was silence and darkness.
CHAPTER IV THE FORD FAMILY
TEN minutes afterwards, James Starr and Harry issued from
the principal gallery.
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