Таємничий острів

           "December,"repliedHerbert.

           "Whatyear?"

           "1866."

           "Twelveyears!twelveyears!"heexclaimed.

           Thenhelefthimabruptly.

           Herbertreportedtothecoloniststhequestionsandanswerswhichhadbeenmade.

           "Thisunfortunateman,"observedGideonSpilett,"wasnolongeracquaintedwitheithermonthsoryears!"

           "Yes!"addedHerbert,"andhehadbeentwelveyearsalreadyontheisletwhenwefoundhimthere!"

           "Twelveyears!"rejoinedHarding."Ah!twelveyearsofsolitude,afterawickedlife,perhaps,maywellimpairaman’sreason!"

           "Iaminducedtothink,"saidPencroft,"thatthismanwasnotwreckedonTaborIsland,butthatinconsequenceofsomecrimehewasleftthere."

           "Youmustberight,Pencroft,"repliedthereporter,"andifitissoitisnotimpossiblethatthosewholefthimontheislandmayreturntofetchhimsomeday!"

           "Andtheywillnolongerfindhim,"saidHerbert.

           "Butthen,"addedPencroft,"theymustreturn,and—"

           "Myfriends,"saidCyrusHarding,"donotletusdiscussthisquestionuntilweknowmoreaboutit.Ibelievethattheunhappymanhassuffered,thathehasseverelyexpiatedhisfaults,whatevertheymayhavebeen,andthatthewishtounburdenhimselfstifleshim.Donotletuspresshimtotellushishistory!Hewilltellittousdoubtless,andwhenweknowit,weshallseewhatcourseitwillbebesttofollow.