Таємничий острів

           Thestranger,however,hadseennothingofhisnewdwelling,andhehadallowedthesettlerstoworktherewithouthim,whileheoccupiedhimselfontheplateau,wishing,doubtless,toputthefinishingstroketohiswork.Indeed,thankstohim,allthegroundwasdugupandreadytohesowedwhenthetimecame.

           Itwasonthe20thofDecemberthatallthearrangementsatthecorralwerecompleted.Theengineerannouncedtothestrangerthathisdwellingwasreadytoreceivehim,andthelatterrepliedthathewouldgoandsleeptherethatveryevening.

           OnthiseveningthecolonistsweregatheredinthediningroomofGraniteHouse.Itwastheneighto’clock,thehouratwhichtheircompanionwastoleavethem.Notwishingtotroublehimbytheirpresence,andthusimposingonhimthenecessityofsayingfarewellswhichmightperhapsbepainfultohim,theyhadlefthimaloneandascendedtoGraniteHouse.

           Now,theyhadbeentalkingintheroomforafewminutes,whenalightknockwasheardatthedoor.Almostimmediatelythestrangerentered,andwithoutanypreamble,—

           "Gentlemen,"saidhe,"beforeIleaveyou,itisrightthatyoushouldknowmyhistory.Iwilltellityou."

           ThesesimplewordsprofoundlyimpressedCyrusHardingandhiscompanions.Theengineerrose.

           "Weaskyounothing,myfriend,"saidhe;"itisyourrighttobesilent."

           "Itismydutytospeak."

           "Sitdown,then."

           "No,Iwillstand."

           "Wearereadytohearyou,"repliedHarding.

           Thestrangerremainedstandinginacorneroftheroom,alittleintheshade.