Таинственный остров

           Thedamagestherewereconsequentlyofsmallimportance,andtheactivityandskillofAyrtonpromptlyrepairedthem,whensometimeinOctoberhereturnedtopassafewdaysinthecorral.

           Duringthiswinter,nofreshinexplicableincidentoccurred.Nothingstrangehappened,althoughPencroftandNebwereonthewatchforthemostinsignificantfactstowhichtheyattachedanymysteriouscause.TopandJupthemselvesnolongergrowledroundthewellorgaveanysignsofuneasiness.Itappeared,therefore,asiftheseriesofsupernaturalincidentswasinterrupted,althoughtheyoftentalkedofthemduringtheeveningsinGraniteHouse,andtheyremainedthoroughlyresolvedthattheislandshouldbesearched,eveninthosepartsthemostdifficulttoexplore.Butaneventofthehighestimportance,andofwhichtheconsequencesmightbeterrible,momentarilydivertedfromtheirprojectsCyrusHardingandhiscompanions.

           ItwasthemonthofOctober.Thefineseasonwasswiftlyreturning.Naturewasreviving;andamongtheevergreenfoliageoftheconiferaewhichformedtheborderofthewood,alreadyappearedtheyoungleavesofthebanksias,deodars,andothertrees.

           ItmayberememberedthatGideonSpilettandHerberthad,atdifferenttimes,takenphotographicviewsofLincolnIsland.

           Now,onthe17thofthismonthofOctober,towardsthreeo’clockintheafternoon,Herbert,enticedbythecharmsofthesky,thoughtofreproducingUnionBay,whichwasoppositetoProspectHeights,fromCapeMandibletoClawCape