t has no moon or satellite such as Cassini,
Short, Montaigne of Limoges, Montbarron, and some other astronomers have
imagined to exist. "Had there been such a satellite," said Servadac,
"we might have captured it in passing. But what can be the meaning," he
added seriously, "of all this displacement of the heavenly bodies?"

"What is that great building at Paris, captain, with a top like a cap?"
asked Ben Zoof.

"Do you mean the Observatory?"

"Yes, the Observatory. Are there not people living in the Observatory
who could explain all this?"

"Very likely; but what of that?"

"Let us be philosophers, and wait patiently until we can hear their
explanation."

Servadac smiled. "Do you know what it is to be a philosopher, Ben Zoof?"
he asked.

"I am a soldier, sir," was the servant's prompt rejoinder, "and I have
learnt to know that 'what can't be cured must be endured.'"

The captain made no reply, but for a time, at least, he desisted from
puzzling himself over matters which he felt he was utterly incompetent
to explain. But an event soon afterwards occurred which awakened his
keenest interest.

About nine o'clock on the morning of the 27th, Ben Zoof walked
deliberately into his master's apartment, and, in reply to a question as
to what he wanted, announced with the utmost composure that a ship was
in sight.

"A ship!" exclaimed Servadac, starting to his feet. "A ship! Ben Zoof,
you donkey! you speak as unconcernedly as though you were telling me
that my dinner was ready."

"Are we not philosophers, captain?" said the orderly.

But the captain was out of hearing.

CHAPTER IX. INQUIRIES UNSATISFIED

Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top
of the cliff. It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more
than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth's
convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the
rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water. This was
enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression
that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.

"The _Dobryna_!" exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his
telescope.

"Impossible, sir!" rejoined Ben Zoof; "there are no signs of smoke."

"The _Dobryna_!" repeated the captain, positively. "She is under sail;
but she is Count Timascheff's yacht."

He was right. If the count were on board, a strange fa