what we are doing--
only seems very much interested."

"You are quite right, Rodd. It would be mean and petty. Leave it to
them, and if they like to take us into their confidence, well and good.
If they do not, well, it is no business of ours."

"Why, uncle," cried Rodd suddenly, and then he stopped. "It isn't
because--"

Rodd stopped short again, looking straight away over the sea, as if in
deep thought.

"Well, my boy? It isn't because what?"

"Oh, I don't like to say, uncle. You would laugh at me."

"How do you know that? Wait and see," cried Uncle Paul. "Now then,
what were you thinking?"

"I was wondering whether they could be trying to discover that which we
found quite by accident."

"That which we found quite by accident, Pickle?"

"Yes, uncle, and that may be the reason why they don't like to talk
about it. You see, all ships' captains and people have been so laughed
at, and told that they are inventing fables, that they are very quiet
and like to keep things to themselves, just the same as Captain Chubb
was when we saw that thing. You see, uncle--"

"Go on, Pickle! Go on!" cried Uncle Paul.

"Oh, I haven't much more to say, uncle, only this--if ordinary captains
are so particular about speaking, and so afraid of ridicule, wouldn't a
big scientific man like the Count, who has fitted out an expedition for
the discovery, be very careful too, lest the object of his voyage should
get about? But oh, nonsense! It's ridiculous. It can't be that.
Don't laugh at me, uncle. It's only what I thought."

"I was not going to laugh at you, Rodney, my boy," said the doctor
quietly, "for the simple reason that I do not see anything to laugh at.
It's a very clever, good idea, and quite possible. Yes, my boy, it's
more than possible. I don't say that you are right, but very likely to
be. The Count and his son are French, and, like their countrymen, very
touchy and sensitive and afraid of ridicule. I shouldn't be at all
surprised, my boy, if that really is the reason for their being so
secretive in their ways."

"I am glad you think so, uncle," cried the boy.

"No, no, no; don't take it like that. It may be after all only a fancy
of yours."

"Yes, uncle, but if that's what they are searching for, to prove that
there are such--such--er--what-you-may-call-'ems in the sea--"

"Phenomena, boy--phenomena," said the doctor shortly.

"Yes, uncle; phenomena--wouldn't it be an act of kindness to tel