Harry himself lay hid for several nights in the thickets of brushwood which clothed the hill-side.
Nothing was discovered--no human being emerged from the opening.

So most people came to the conclusion that the villains had been finally dislodged from the mine, and that, as to Nell, they must suppose her to be dead at the bottom of the shaft where they had left her.
While it remained unworked, the mine had been a safe enough place of refuge, secure from all search or pursuit.

But now, circumstances being altered, it became difficult to conceal this lurking-place, and it might reasonably be hoped they were gone, and that nothing for the future was to be dreaded from them.
James Starr, however, could not feel sure about it; neither could Harry be satisfied on the subject, often repeating, "Nell has clearly been mixed up with all this secret business.

If she had nothing more to fear, why should she keep silence?
It cannot be doubted that she is happy with us.

She likes us all--she adores my mother.