Chapter
1 I | CONTRADICTORY LETTERS~To Mr. F. R. Starr, Engineer, 30 Canongate,
2 I | Edinburgh.~IF Mr. James Starr will come to-morrow to the
3 I | made to him.~“Mr. James Starr will be awaited for, the
4 I | was the letter which James Starr received by the first post,
5 I | mines, of which he, James Starr, had for twenty years, been
6 I | coal-mines, the viewer. James Starr was a strongly-constituted
7 I | Stirling, that the name of Starr had acquired the greatest
8 I | passed. Besides this, James Starr belonged to the Scottish
9 I | years. The engineer, James Starr, had collected the hundreds
10 I | farewell to the engineer.~James Starr stood upright, at the door
11 I | overseers, surrounded him. James Starr took off his hat. The miners,
12 I | confirmation of his words, James Starr pointed to a lump of coal
13 I | friends,” resumed James Starr, “is like the last drop
14 I | with you!”~So saying, James Starr wrung the horny hand of
15 I | shouting, “Farewell, James Starr, our master and our friend!”~
16 I | alone remained by James Starr. This was the overman, Simon
17 I | employed down below.~James Starr and Simon Ford knew and
18 I | engineer.~“Good-by, Mr. Starr,” replied the overman, “
19 I | again. Ford!” answered James Starr. “You know that I shall
20 I | times.”~“I know that, Mr. Starr.”~“My house in Edinburgh
21 I | to live?”~“Even here, Mr. Starr! We’re not going to leave
22 I | TILL WE MEET AGAIN, Mr. Starr, and not Just ‘good-by,’”
23 I | again, during that time Starr had heard nothing of him.
24 I | of the engineer’s life. Starr re-read his letter. He pondered
25 I | discovered some new vein? No! Starr remembered with what minute
26 I | but without result. James Starr had therefore abandoned
27 I | the Dochart pit!” James Starr always came back to that.~
28 I | shall go, I shall go!” said Starr, his excitement increasing
29 I | Now on this day, James Starr’s ideas were boiling fast.~
30 I | evening, by the third post, Starr’s servant brought him a
31 I | the use of a pen. James Starr tore it open. It contained
32 I | useless for the engineer James Starr to trouble himself, Simon
33 II | ROAD~THE course of James Starr’s ideas was abruptly stopped,
34 II | someone wish to prevent James Starr from troubling himself either
35 II | conclusion at which James Starr arrived, after mature reflection.
36 II | worth while to prove it. Starr also thought it wiser to
37 II | rendezvous.”~In the evening, Starr made his preparations for
38 II | at five o’clock, James Starr jumped out of bed, dressed
39 II | which the engineer, James Starr, had so long directed the
40 II | thousand feet, and when James Starr had retired, it was with
41 II | nature? This question James Starr could not cease asking himself.
42 II | engineer quickly.~“Yes, Mr. Starr.”~“I should not have known
43 II | take shelter anywhere, Mr. Starr?” asked young Ford.~“No,
44 II | father well?”~“Very well, Mr. Starr.”~“And your mother?”~“She
45 II | engineer quickly.~“No, Mr. Starr,” answered the young miner.~“
46 II | miner.~“Very well,” said Starr, without speaking of the
47 II | father wants with me?”~“Mr. Starr, my father wishes to tell
48 II | Dochart pit?”~“Yes, Mr. Starr,” replied Harry.~“Really!
49 II | works?”~“Not a day, Mr. Starr. You know my father. It
50 II | happy there?”~“Yes, Mr. Starr,” replied the young miner, “
51 III | not been abandoned.~James Starr was still a good walker,
52 III | Callander. Whilst walking, James Starr could not but be struck
53 III | old mining tramways. James Starr felt as if he was traversing
54 III | bright look, to which James Starr’s eyes were not accustomed.~
55 III | it is all changed,” said Starr. “But at the rate we worked,
56 III | time?”~“I do regret it, Mr. Starr,” answered Harry. “The work
57 III | miners of Aberfoyle, Mr. Starr!”~“Ay, Harry, so they have,”
58 III | Do you mean to say, Mr. Starr, that mankind would have
59 III | no fear of that now, Mr. Starr. But yet, the mines will
60 III | make them into coal.”~James Starr and his guide, whilst talking,
61 III | him.~“As you please, Mr. Starr.”~“Have you your lamp?”~“
62 III | enough,” returned James Starr, “there is no fear of fire-damp
63 III | steps of the upper ladder. Starr followed. They soon found
64 III | in good condition.~James Starr examined, as well as the
65 III | You are very stout, Mr. Starr,” replied Harry, “and it’
66 III | father?”~“My father, Mr. Starr? no.”~“Some neighbor, then?”~“
67 III | intruder pass,” said James Starr. “Those who are descending
68 III | Jack Ryan?” asked James Starr.~“An old mining comrade,”
69 III | shaft!”~“This is Mr. James Starr,” said Harry, turning his
70 III | was in the shadow.~“Mr. Starr!” cried Jack Ryan. “Ah,
71 III | you, no doubt?”~“Ay, Mr. Starr, but in changing my trade,
72 III | going to see old Simon, Mr. Starr?”~“Yes, Jack,” answered
73 III | Impossible?”~“Yes; Mr. Starr’s visit will last some time,
74 III | week yet. By that time Mr. Starr’s visit will be over, I
75 III | Indeed, Harry,” said James Starr, “you must profit by your
76 III | Harry! Your servant, Mr. Starr. I am very glad to have
77 III | forgotten no one,” said Starr.~“Thanks for all, sir,”
78 III | an hour afterwards James Starr and Harry descended the
79 III | you not rest a while, Mr. Starr?” asked the young man.~“
80 III | cottage.”~“Follow me then, Mr. Starr. I will guide you, and yet
81 III | fell at the feet of James Starr. “Take care, Mr. Starr!”
82 III | James Starr. “Take care, Mr. Starr!” cried Harry, seizing the
83 III | secure, of course, and—”~“Mr. Starr,” said Harry Ford, “it seems
84 III | Thrown!” exclaimed James Starr. “What do you mean, lad?”~“
85 III | Nothing, nothing, Mr. Starr,” replied Harry evasively,
86 III | Lean harder on my arm, Mr. Starr. Use me like a staff.”~“
87 III | Harry,” answered James Starr. “I could not wish for a
88 IV | minutes afterwards, James Starr and Harry issued from the
89 IV | and the engineer, James Starr, appreciated him highly.
90 IV | meet him.~“Welcome, Mr. Starr!” he exclaimed, his voice
91 IV | good Simon?” asked James Starr, grasping the hand which
92 IV | to him.~“Very well, Mr. Starr. How could I be otherwise
93 IV | Simon,” answered James Starr, glad to find the old man
94 IV | you.”~“And why not, Mr. Starr? I know one of your old
95 IV | walk.~“Are you hungry, Mr. Starr?”~“Ravenously hungry. My
96 IV | as the sea.”~“Well, Mr. Starr, here it never rains. But
97 IV | into the dwelling. James Starr found himself in a large
98 IV | waiting any more than Mr. Starr. He is as hungry as a miner,
99 IV | his veins. Sit down, Mr. Starr, and have a good dinner,
100 IV | moment, Simon,” said James Starr. “Do you want me to eat
101 IV | all possible honor, Mr. Starr,” answered Ford.~“Well,
102 IV | To you and to me, Mr. Starr. But I do not want to tell
103 IV | like yours,” replied James Starr.~“What do you think of that,
104 IV | in trying to prevent Mr. Starr from coming to the place
105 IV | wife.~“Let us begin, Mr. Starr,” she said. “The soup is
106 IV | drew in his chair, James Starr opposite to Madge—to do
107 IV | lasted a good hour. James Starr and Simon Ford had not only
108 IV | my friends.”~“Yes, Mr. Starr, he is a good and affectionate
109 IV | ready to hear you.”~“Mr. Starr,” responded Ford, “I do
110 IV | lamps!” exclaimed James Starr, in amazement, knowing that
111 IV | empty of coal.~“Yes, Mr. Starr, it will be prudent.”~“My
112 V | fallen at the feet of James Starr had been thrown by the hand
113 V | that description.~James Starr was of opinion that the
114 VI | cottage struck one as James Starr and his two companions went
115 VI | the last vein?” said James Starr.~“Ay! You know the mine
116 VI | mistake.”~“Yes, indeed, Mr. Starr. That was where our picks
117 VI | and I dare to assert, Mr. Starr, that its heart beats still.”~“
118 VI | mean nothing else.”~“Mr. Starr,” said Simon Ford, “I did
119 VI | it was another gas,” said Starr. “Firedamp is almost without
120 VI | presence by an explosion.”~“Mr. Starr,” said Simon Ford, “will
121 VI | safety-lamp?”~“Yes,” replied James Starr. “You mean what the ‘monk,’
122 VI | his duty.”~“Indeed, Mr. Starr, you are too young, in spite
123 VI | leaving the cottage, James Starr and his two companions had
124 VI | Heaven! you are here, Mr. Starr, and we shall soon know.”
125 VI | surface of the earth.~James Starr, with intense interest,
126 VI | fire-damp?” asked James Starr.~“Just there, sir,” returned
127 VI | At what height?” asked Starr.~“Ten feet from the ground,”
128 VI | ground,” replied Harry.~James Starr had seated himself on a
129 VI | before.~What troubled James Starr was, not lest too much gas
130 VI | What’s the matter?” asked Starr quickly.~“Someone has stopped
131 VI | he!”~“He?” repeated James Starr in amazement.~“Yes!” returned
132 VI | coming to see my father, Mr. Starr, and who finally threw that
133 VI | Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! Mr. Starr. The fire-damp burns! the
134 VII | later.~“Yes,” thought James Starr, “behind that wall lies
135 VII | to the end!”~“Well, Mr. Starr,” asked Ford, “what do you
136 VII | my old friend!” answered Starr. “We have not lost our time;
137 VII | it all again! I hope, Mr. Starr, that you will not think
138 VII | overflowing with joy. James Starr fully entered into it; but
139 VII | An hour afterwards, James Starr and his two companions were
140 VII | substantial breakfast, James Starr, Simon Ford, Harry, and
141 VII | Stop one instant,” said Starr. “Let us see if any change
142 VII | crevices.”~“You are right, Mr. Starr,” said Harry. “Whoever stopped
143 VII | with the air inside. James Starr and his companions could
144 VII | between the coal veins. James Starr picked up some of the pieces,
145 VII | discover some trace of coal.~Starr having chosen the place
146 VII | level with the ground. James Starr and his companions then
147 VII | some distance.~“Oh! Mr. Starr,” said Simon Ford, a prey
148 VII | subterranean galleries. Starr, Madge, Harry, and Simon
149 VII | hastened towards the spot.~“Mr. Starr! Mr. Starr!” shouted the
150 VII | the spot.~“Mr. Starr! Mr. Starr!” shouted the overman. “
151 VII | Now then, Harry, go,” said Starr, “and we will follow you.”~
152 VII | father, mother, and James Starr waited in silence. A minute—
153 VII | into the opening,~James Starr could not even see the light
154 VII | heard shouting, “Come, Mr. Starr! come, father! The road
155 VII | under the direction of James Starr during the last years of
156 VIII | EXPLORING~AT Harry’s call, James Starr, Madge, and Simon Ford entered
157 VIII | for twelve hours.~James Starr and his companions now felt
158 VIII | for a whole hour; James Starr, Madge, Harry, and Simon
159 VIII | us make a halt,” replied Starr; “I confess my legs have
160 VIII | walk?”~“Not over much, Mr. Starr,” replied the sturdy Scotchwoman; “
161 VIII | necessary. But once more, Mr. Starr, wasn’t my communication
162 VIII | Just dare to say no, Mr. Starr, dare to say no!”~“Well,
163 VIII | width and in depth, too, Mr. Starr!” returned Simon Ford.~“
164 VIII | Heaven grant it!” returned Starr. “As to the quality of the
165 VIII | these walls?”~“Superb! Mr. Starr, superb!” answered Ford; “
166 VIII | almost without dust! Ah, Mr. Starr! twenty years ago this seam
167 VIII | I am not mistaken.”~“Mr. Starr,” asked Harry, “have you
168 VIII | position.”~“No doubt, Mr. Starr,” replied Ford; “but pray
169 VIII | old Simon,” answered James Starr. “Far be it from me even
170 VIII | county of Stirling, Mr. Starr,” replied Simon Ford; “and
171 VIII | indeed,” answered James Starr, “and that is the reason
172 VIII | You must be right, Mr. Starr,” said Harry.~“Besides,
173 VIII | so bad outside,” resumed Starr, “that the waters of the
174 VIII | coal.”~“Are you joking, Mr. Starr?” asked Ford, with a pleased
175 VIII | themselves.~But as James Starr was proceeding towards the
176 VIII | Simon Ford stopped him.~“Mr. Starr,” said he, “you see this
177 VIII | inside old England.”~James Starr, smiling approval of Ford’
178 VIII | broken to pieces.~James Starr and his companions were
179 VIII | then! Harry, go first. Mr. Starr, follow him. Madge, you
180 VIII | become a second nature.~James Starr and his companions walked
181 VIII | walking had not been rapid, Starr calculated that he and his
182 VIII | recently stopped up. James Starr and his companions were
183 IX | related had taken place, James Starr’s friends had become very
184 IX | were no traces of James Starr. Simon Ford’s letter had
185 IX | colleagues a letter which James Starr had sent him, excusing himself
186 IX | these documents proved that Starr had left Edinburgh— which
187 IX | relative to the engineer James Starr, giving a description of
188 IX | were thinking about James Starr, Harry Ford was the subject
189 IX | notice relative to James Starr, published in the papers,
190 IX | December, the engineer, James Starr, of Edinburgh, embarked
191 IX | with extreme surprise.~“Mr. Starr!” he exclaimed. “Why, on
192 IX | he knew relative to James Starr, Jack jumped into the train,
193 IX | to be the engineer James Starr.~“They haven’t turned up
194 IX | prolonged absence of James Starr proved that he had not left
195 IX | but a personal friend of Starr’s, was also informed, and
196 IX | asked Ryan, “that Mr. Starr could have had any reason
197 IX | after the arrival of James Starr, to which Ryan could positively
198 IX | corpses, perhaps!~“James Starr!” exclaimed Sir William
199 IX | the very spot where James Starr and his companions lay.~
200 IX | The passage which James Starr and his companions had made
201 X | cottage: this was for James Starr. The engineer had given
202 X | overman. “But neither Mr. Starr nor I have forgotten that
203 XI | their accomplishment. Mr. Starr comes to see us at the Dochart
204 XI | intentions either to James Starr or to the old overman. Jack
205 XII | some day.”~Of course James Starr had been at once informed
206 XII | of New Aberfoyle, James Starr was obliged to remain uncertain;
207 XII | found you?” asked James Starr.~“Oh, yes!” exclaimed the
208 XII | say to the second.~James Starr, as well as Simon and Harry
209 XII | bed.~Many a time did James Starr, Simon, and Harry talk over
210 XII | few days afterwards, James Starr, guided by Harry, came himself
211 XII | now!”~“I hardly think, Mr. Starr, we ought to congratulate
212 XII | for keeping silence?~James Starr could not rest till he had
213 XII | dreaded from them.~James Starr, however, could not feel
214 XII | known to Nell what James Starr, his father, mother, and
215 XII | Because those men were James Starr, my father, and myself,
216 XIII | course, the engineer, James Starr, as well as Simon Ford,
217 XIII | Simon did—and that was James Starr, the engineer. Of course
218 XIII | has been said that James Starr continued to entertain a
219 XIII | keeping silence,” said James Starr very often, “but what she
220 XIII | illogically, reasoned James Starr. He communicated his ideas
221 XIV | from the cottage.~James Starr, Harry, and Jack Ryan were
222 XIV | last for two days. James Starr, as well as Harry, considered
223 XIV | for a single day.~James Starr went as an observer and
224 XIV | pensive and silent.~James Starr had decided, very sensibly,
225 XIV | My child,” said James Starr, “I can well understand
226 XIV | freely, Nell,” said James Starr; “it is fragrant with all
227 XIV | My child,” replied James Starr, “they are indeed suns,
228 XIV | pursued their way, James Starr leading the maiden, Harry
229 XIV | boat, chartered by James Starr, awaited them. In a few
230 XIV | comparisons!”~“Well, but, Mr. Starr, it is a just comparison.
231 XIV | when ‘full,’” said James Starr; “that means when she is
232 XIV | barber’s basin.”~“Oh, Mr. Starr, what a base comparison!”
233 XIV | embark now,” said James Starr. “We have to get to the
234 XIV | No, my child,” said James Starr. “You have been dreaming
235 XIV | hand, they followed James Starr and Jack Ryan as they traversed
236 XIV | Coal Town,” said ~James Starr, “that the spacious firmament
237 XIV | you feel, Nell?”~“Yes, Mr. Starr, it is exactly like that,”
238 XIV | easy winding path, James Starr and his party reached the
239 XIV | seated themselves; and James Starr, ever ready with quotations
240 XV | and, accompanied by James Starr and Jack Ryan, they reached
241 XV | Scott,” exclaimed James Starr. “You don’t know this country,
242 XV | Only by its songs, Mr. Starr,” replied Jack; “and judging
243 XV | Nell, seated between James Starr and Harry, drank in with
244 XV | mainland.~“Nell,” said James Starr, “every island here has
245 XV | Yes, Nell,” answered James Starr; “see how haughtily its
246 XV | economize hemp,” remarked James Starr.~The lake narrowed very
247 XV | famous lake,” said James Starr. “It has been compared to
248 XV | Douglas.”~“To be sure, Mr. Starr,” replied Jack; “why should
249 XV | friends!” exclaimed James Starr, as the cause of this marvel
250 XVI | Nell, of their boy, of Mr. Starr, and wondered how they liked
251 XVI | natural causes, yet to James Starr and his friends, Simon and
252 XVI | some days later, James Starr thus discussed the matter
253 XVI | length resolved that James Starr, together with Simon and
254 XVI | was based, the opinion of Starr and his friends could not
255 XVI | to doubt it,” said James Starr; “and who can say what might
256 XVI | incomprehensible,” replied James Starr. “This case is something
257 XVI | cried the engineer.~“Mr. Starr—and you, father,” said Harry, “
258 XVI | this very day month. Mr. Starr, will you undertake the
259 XVI | water-tank giving way; and Mr. Starr ascertained beyond a doubt
260 XVI | designed to injure Harry. Starr forbade him to venture alone
261 XVI | she was his wife. James Starr, Simon, and Madge, were
262 XVI | chamber by old Madge.~James Starr, hastening to the spot,
263 XVII | him, Simon?” demanded Mr. Starr.~“Yes, that I did,” replied
264 XVII | ago.”~“But,” resumed James Starr, “what does he mean by those
265 XVII | Well, now, then,” said Starr, “it is all quite plain.
266 XVII | must have happened, Mr. Starr,” returned old Simon. “The
267 XVII | I don’t know that,” said Starr, shaking his head; “it is
268 XVII | the pit. I am sure, Mr. Starr, if we could only catch
269 XVII | stop to.”~“I feel sure, Mr. Starr,” answered Harry, “that
270 XVII | know all. And you too, Mr. Starr, must remain ignorant of
271 XVII | her to speak,” said James Starr in a decided tone.~“I am
272 XVII | No, my child,” said James Starr, “tell us everything that
273 XVII | you would leave us?”~James Starr put them all aside with
274 XVII | took my resolution, Mr. Starr, I was aware of everything
275 XVII | letter was written to Mr. Starr, up to now that my marriage
276 XVII | so revere and trust Mr. Starr, I used to think they were
277 XVIII| was brought before James Starr, that he might give an account
278 XVIII| work of excavation. James Starr continued to look out for
279 XVIII| the “fire-maidens,” James Starr began to think that appearance
280 XVIII| bride. Following them came Starr, the engineer, composed
281 XVIII| atmosphere of the mine.~James Starr and several others, having
282 XVIII| your lives!” repeated James Starr. Alas! it was too late to
283 XVIII| astounded multitude. James Starr, in the calmness of despair,
284 XIX | returned to the cottage. James Starr and Simon Ford, henceforth
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