Таємничий острів

           Beforethemtheybeheldthatbeingwhomtheyhadstyledthe"geniusoftheisland,"thepowerfulprotectorwhoseintervention,insomanycircumstances,hadbeensoefficacious,thebenefactortowhomtheyowedsuchadebtofgratitude!Theireyesbeheldamanonly,andamanatthepointofdeath,wherePencroftandNebhadexpectedtofindanalmostsupernaturalbeing!

           ButhowhappeneditthatCyrusHardinghadrecognizedCaptainNemo?whyhadthelattersosuddenlyrisenonhearingthisnameuttered,anamewhichhehadbelievedknowntonone?—

           Thecaptainhadresumedhispositiononthedivan,andleaningonhisarm,heregardedtheengineer,seatednearhim.

           "YouknowthenameIformerlybore,sir?"heasked.

           "Ido,"answeredCyrusHarding,"andalsothatofthiswonderfulsubmarinevessel—"

           "The‘Nautilus’?"saidthecaptain,withafaintsmile.

           "The‘Nautilus.’"

           "Butdoyou—doyouknowwhoIam?"

           "Ido."

           "ItisneverthelessmanyyearssinceIhaveheldanycommunicationwiththeinhabitedworld;threelongyearshaveIpassedinthedepthofthesea,theonlyplacewhereIhavefoundliberty!Whothencanhavebetrayedmysecret?"

           "Amanwhowasboundtoyoubynotie,CaptainNemo,andwho,consequently,cannotbeaccusedoftreachery."

           "TheFrenchmanwhowascastonboardmyvesselbychancesixteenyearssince?"

           "Thesame."