Таємничий острів

           "Itmustbeallowed,"saidthereporter,aftertheinventoryhadbeenmade,"thattheownerofthischestwasapracticalman!Tools,weapons,instruments,clothes,utensils,books—nothingiswanting!Itmightreallybesaidthatheexpectedtobewrecked,andhadpreparedforitbeforehand."

           "Nothingiswanting,indeed,"murmuredCyrusHardingthoughtfully.

           "Andforacertainty,"addedHerbert,"thevesselwhichcarriedthischestanditsownerwasnotaMalaypirate!"

           "Unless,"saidPencroft,"theownerhadbeentakenprisonerbypirates—"

           "Thatisnotadmissible,"repliedthereporter."ItismoreprobablethatanAmericanorEuropeanvesselhasbeendrivenintothisquarter,andthatherpassengers,wishingtosavenecessariesatleast,preparedthischestandthrewitoverboard."

           "Isthatyouropinion,captain?"askedHerbert.

           "Yes,myboy,"repliedtheengineer,"thatmayhavebeenthecase.Itispossiblethatatthemoment,orinexpectationofawreck,theycollectedintothischestdifferentarticlesofthegreatestuseinhopesoffindingitagainonthecoast—"

           "Eventhephotographicbox!"exclaimedthesailorincredulously.

           "Astothatapparatus,"repliedHarding,"Idonotquiteseetheuseofit;andamorecompletesupplyofclothesormoreabundantammunitionwouldhavebeenmorevaluabletousaswellastoanyothercastaways!"

           "Butisn’tthereanymarkordirectionontheseinstruments,tools,orbooks,whichwouldtellussomethingaboutthem?"askedGideonSpilett.