Chapter 23. Conclusion

           Thusendsthevoyageundertheseas.Whatpassedduringthatnight—howtheboatescapedfromtheeddiesofthemaelstrom—howNedLand,Conseil,andmyselfevercameoutofthegulf,Icannottell.

           ButwhenIreturnedtoconsciousness,Iwaslyinginafisherman’shut,ontheLoffodenIsles.Mytwocompanions,safeandsound,werenearmeholdingmyhands.Weembracedeachotherheartily.

           AtthatmomentwecouldnotthinkofreturningtoFrance.ThemeansofcommunicationbetweenthenorthofNorwayandthesoutharerare.AndIamthereforeobligedtowaitforthesteamboatrunningmonthlyfromCapeNorth.

           And,amongtheworthypeoplewhohavesokindlyreceivedus,Irevisemyrecordoftheseadventuresoncemore.Notafacthasbeenomitted,notadetailexaggerated.Itisafaithfulnarrativeofthisincredibleexpeditioninanelementinaccessibletoman,buttowhichProgresswillonedayopenaroad.

           ShallIbebelieved?Idonotknow.Anditmatterslittle,afterall.WhatInowaffirmis,thatIhavearighttospeakoftheseseas,underwhich,inlessthantenmonths,Ihavecrossed20,000leaguesinthatsubmarinetouroftheworld,whichhasrevealedsomanywonders.

           ButwhathasbecomeoftheNautilus?Diditresistthepressureofthemaelstrom?DoesCaptainNemostilllive?Anddoeshestillfollowundertheoceanthosefrightfulretaliations?Or,didhestopafterthelasthecatomb?