Таинственный остров

           "Theweatherisstormy,"observedHerbert."Mightnotitsinfluenceofelectricity—"

           Herbertdidnotfinishhisphrase.Theengineer,towardswhomalleyeswereturned,shookhisheadnegatively.

           "Wemustwait,"saidGideonSpilett."Ifitisasignal,whoeveritmaybewhohasmadeit,hewillrenewit."

           "Butwhodoyouthinkitis?"criedNeb.

           "Who?"answeredPencroft,"buthe—"

           Thesailor’ssentencewascutshortbyanewtinkleofthebell.

           Hardingwenttotheapparatus,andsentthisquestiontothecorral:—

           "Whatdoyouwant?"

           Afewmomentslatertheneedle,movingonthealphabeticdial,gavethisreplytothetenantsofGraniteHouse:—

           "Cometothecorralimmediately."

           "Atlast!"exclaimedHarding.

           Yes!Atlast!Themysterywasabouttobeunveiled.Thecolonists’fatiguehaddisappearedbeforethetremendousinterestwhichwasabouttourgethemtothecorral,andallwishforresthadceased.Withouthavingutteredaword,inafewmomentstheyhadleftGraniteHouse,andwerestandingonthebeach.JupandTopalonewereleftbehind.Theycoulddowithoutthem.

           Thenightwasblack.Thenewmoonhaddisappearedatthesametimeasthesun.AsHerberthadobserved,greatstormycloudsformedaloweringandheavyvault,preventinganystarrays.Afewlightningflashes,reflectionsfromadistantstorm,illuminatedthehorizon.

           Itwaspossiblethatafewhourslaterthethunderwouldrollovertheislanditself.Thenightwasverythreatening.