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"Silfax!" repeated Nell in tones of despair, "Silfax!" and, murmuring this name, her whole frame shuddering with fear and agitation, she was borne away to her chamber by old Madge. James Starr, hastening to the spot, read the threatening sentences again and again. "The hand which traced these lines," said he at length, "is the same which wrote me the letter contradicting yours, Simon.
The threats of old Silfax were too serious to be disregarded. It was only too possible that he possessed some terrible means by which the whole of Aberfoyle might be annihilated. Armed sentinels were posted at the various entrances to the mine, with orders to keep strict watch day and night. Any stranger entering the mine was brought before James Starr, that he might give an account of himself.
During the week preceding the wedding, no accident whatever occurred in Aberfoyle. The system of watching was carefully maintained, but the miners began to recover from the panic, which had seriously interrupted the work of excavation. James Starr continued to look out for Silfax.
As to the "fire-maidens," James Starr began to think that appearance must have been produced by some jet of fire-damp gas which, issuing from that part of the pit, could be lighted by Silfax.
"Ay, that I do, Simon," replied she. "I can recollect all this," resumed Simon, "since I have seen the name of Silfax on the door. But I tell you, I thought the man was dead, and never imagined that the spiteful being we have so long sought for could be the old fireman of the Dochart pit." "Well, now, then," said Starr, "it is all quite plain. Chance made known to Silfax the new vein of coal.
These threats of Silfax are formidable no doubt about it! But, after all, a man is but a man, and we can take precautions. You will tell us, will you not, even for his own sake, all you can about his habits and his lurking-places? All we want to do is to put it out of his power to do harm, and perhaps bring him to reason." "You want to do what is quite impossible," said Nell.
At length the day came. Silfax had given no token of existence. By daybreak the entire population of Coal Town was astir. Work was suspended; overseers and workmen alike desired to do honor to Simon Ford and his son. They all felt they owed a large debt of gratitude to these bold and persevering men, by whose means the mine had been restored to its former prosperity.
The old overman, full of mingled compassion and anger, made known to the engineer and Harry all that the name of Silfax had revealed to him. It explained the whole mystery. Silfax was the mysterious being so long vainly sought for in the depths of New Aberfoyle. "So you knew him, Simon?" demanded Mr. Starr. "Yes, that I did," replied the overman. "The Harfang man, we used to call him.
The man calls himself Silfax. I see by your troubled manner that you know him. Who is this Silfax?" THIS name revealed everything to the old overman. It was that of the last "monk" of the Dochart pit.
"I am the granddaughter of old Silfax," resumed Nell. "I never knew a mother till the day I came here," added she, looking at Madge. "Blessed be that day, my daughter!" said the old woman. "I knew no father till I saw Simon Ford," continued Nell; "nor friend till the day when Harry's hand touched mine.
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