Таємничий острів

           Besides,thewindwasfavorableforbringinghertowardstheisland,and,theseabeingcalm,shewouldnotbeafraidtoapproachalthoughtheshallowswerenotmarkedonthechart.

           Towardsfouro’clock—anhourafterhehadbeensentfor—AyrtonarrivedatGraniteHouse.Heenteredthedining-roomsaying,—

           "Atyourservice,gentlemen."

           CyrusHardinggavehimhishand,aswashiscustomtodo,and,leadinghimtothewindow,—

           "Ayrton,"saidhe,"wehavebeggedyoutocomehereforanimportantreason.Ashipisinsightoftheisland."

           Ayrtonatfirstpaledslightly,andforamomenthiseyesbecamedim;then,leaningoutthewindow,hesurveyedthehorizon,butcouldseenothing.

           "Takethistelescope,"saidSpilett,"andlookcarefully,Ayrton,foritispossiblethatthisshipmaybethe‘Duncan’cometotheseseasforthepurposeoftakingyouhomeagain."

           "The‘Duncan!’"murmuredAyrton."Already?"ThislastwordescapedAyrton’slipsasifinvoluntarily,andhisheaddroopeduponhishands.

           Didnottwelveyears’solitudeonadesertislandappeartohimasufficientexpiation?Didnotthepenitentyetfeelhimselfpardoned,eitherinhisowneyesorintheeyesofothers?

           "No,"saidhe,"no!itcannotbethe‘Duncan’!"

           "Look,Ayrton,"thensaidtheengineer,"foritisnecessarythatweshouldknowbeforehandwhattoexpect."

           Ayrtontooktheglassandpointeditinthedirectionindicated.Duringsomeminutesheexaminedthehorizonwithoutmoving,withoututteringaword.