Notwithstanding his great age, his strength is astonishing, and his threats used to make me tremble." "Go on, Nell, my child," said Simon to the girl, who paused as though to collect her thoughts.
"On the occasion of your first attempt," resumed Nell, "as soon as my grandfather saw that you were fairly inside the gallery leading to New Aberfoyle, he stopped up the opening, and turned it into a prison for you.

I only knew you as shadows dimly seen in the gloom of the pit, but I could not endure the idea that you would die of hunger in these horrid places; and so, at the risk of being detected, I succeeded in obtaining bread and water for you during some days.

I should have liked to help you to escape, but it was so difficult to avoid the vigilance of my grandfather.

You were about to die.

Then arrived Jack Ryan and the others.