Atthesewordstherecliningfigurerose,andtheelectriclightfelluponhiscountenance;amagnificenthead,theforeheadhigh,theglancecommanding,beardwhite,hairabundantandfallingovertheshoulders.

           Hishandresteduponthecushionofthedivanfromwhichhehadjustrisen.Heappearedperfectlycalm.Itwasevidentthathisstrengthhadbeengraduallyunderminedbyillness,buthisvoiceseemedyetpowerful,ashesaidinEnglish,andinatonewhichevincedextremesurprise,—

           "Sir,Ihavenoname."

           "Nevertheless,Iknowyou!"repliedCyrusHarding.

           CaptainNemofixedhispenetratinggazeupontheengineer,asthoughhewereabouttoannihilatehim.

           Then,fallingbackamidthepillowsofthedivan,—

           "Afterall,whatmattersnow?"hemurmured;"Iamdying!"

           CyrusHardingdrewnearthecaptain,andGideonSpiletttookhishand—itwasofafeverishheat.Ayrton,Pencroft,Herbert,andNebstoodrespectfullyapartinanangleofthemagnificentsaloon,whoseatmospherewassaturatedwiththeelectricfluid.

           MeanwhileCaptainNemowithdrewhishand,andmotionedtheengineerandthereportertobeseated.

           Allregardedhimwithprofoundemotion.