er them."

"No," said Morny musingly; "we want nothing to make us recollect them."

"But I suppose it is nearly all over now, for our voyages will soon come
to an end."

"Oh no?" cried Morny eagerly. "Why should they, now that your uncle and
my father have become such friends?"

The lads both started, for those of whom they were speaking just then
strolled up behind them.

"Well, boys," said the Count gravely, "what are you two talking about?"

"Rodd was saying that he supposed our friendship would soon come to an
end."

"Indeed?" cried the Count, raising his eyebrows and turning to give a
meaning glance at Uncle Paul. "Why should it, eh, my lad? I thought
you and Morny had become such fast friends."

"Yes, so we have, sir," cried Rodd, flushing; "but I didn't quite mean
that, for I hope we shall often meet; but I thought that now we are out
at sea again we should be separating. The brig will be going one way,
and we shall be going another."

"Do you wish this to be so?" said the Count, after another glance at
Uncle Paul.

"I? Oh no, sir."

"And you, Morny, my son?"

"I, my father? They should not go away if I could stop it."

"You hear, doctor? Is not this strange after what we have been saying
in the cabin. I tell you again, before long I will be quite open with
you about the object of my voyage. At present I ask you not to press
me."

"I have told you," said the doctor, smiling, "that I will not. I have
told you also that my object for the short time that I shall stay down
here in the south is to keep close inshore, while you tell me that you
wish to be able to sail right out to sea, and free to carry out your
project, whatever it may be."

"Yes, yes, and I have told you too that you could be of the greatest
service to me by following close at hand, and that I should always be
most grateful if without injury to your own cruise you would keep in
company with me for the present."

"Ready to help in case of further emergencies?"

"No," cried the Count warmly; "my ideas were not so selfish as that.
But tell me this--is it urgent that we should part company now? I mean,
would you suffer loss, or would your own researches be injured by
keeping in company with us for say another month?"

"No-o," said the doctor carelessly; "I am just as likely to make
discoveries far out to sea as close inshore."

"Then stay with us for the present. I ask it as a friend, while I
guarantee that you shall