The space at the bottom of the shaft was completely deserted;
but Sir William was much surprised at hearing Jack Ryan exclaim,
"Here are bits of the ladders, and some of them half burnt!"
"Burnt?" repeated Sir William. "Indeed, here sure enough are cinders
which have evidently been cold a long time!"
"Do you think, sir," asked Ryan, "that Mr. Starr could have had any
reason for burning the ladders, and thus breaking of communication
with the world?"
"Certainly not," answered Sir William Elphiston, who
had become very thoughtful. "Come, 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.
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