Таємничий острів

           Infact,twodayshadalreadypassedsincehisdeparture,andithadbeendecidedthatontheeveningofthe10thoratthelatestthemorningofthe11th,heshouldreturn.Thecolonistswaited,therefore,forAyrtontoappearonProspectHeights.NebandHerbertevenwatchedatthebridgesoastobereadytoloweritthemomenttheircompanionpresentedhimself.

           Butuptotenintheevening,therewerenosignsofAyrton.Itwas,therefore,judgedbesttosendafreshdespatch,requiringanimmediatereply.

           ThebellofthetelegraphatGraniteHouseremainedmute.

           Thecolonists’uneasinesswasgreat.Whathadhappened?WasAyrtonnolongeratthecorral,orifhewasstillthere,hadhenolongercontroloverhismovements?Couldtheygotothecorralinthisdarknight?

           Theyconsulted.Somewishedtogo,theotherstoremain.

           "But,"saidHerbert,"perhapssomeaccidenthashappenedtothetelegraphicapparatus,sothatitworksnolonger?"

           "Thatmaybe,"saidthereporter.

           "Waittillto-morrow,"repliedCyrusHarding."Itispossible,indeed,thatAyrtonhasnotreceivedourdespatch,oreventhatwehavenotreceivedhis."

           Theywaited,ofcoursenotwithoutsomeanxiety.

           Atdawnofday,the11thofNovember,Hardingagainsenttheelectriccurrentalongthewireandreceivednoreply.

           Hetriedagain:thesameresult.

           "Offtothecorral,"saidhe.

           "Andwellarmed!"addedPencroft.

           ItwasimmediatelydecidedthatGraniteHouseshouldnotbeleftaloneandthatNebshouldremainthere.