Таинственный остров

           Thereitwasexaminedbythecolonists,whofoundthatitwasafragmentofAyrton’swaistcoat,apieceofthatfelt,manufacturedsolelybytheGraniteHousefactory.

           "Yousee,Pencroft,"observedHarding,"therehasbeenresistanceonthepartoftheunfortunateAyrton.Theconvictshavedraggedhimawayinspiteofhimself!Doyoustilldoubthishonesty?"

           "No,captain,"answeredthesailor,"andIrepentedofmysuspicionalongtimeago!Butitseemstomethatsomethingmaybelearnedfromtheincident."

           "Whatisthat?"askedthereporter.

           "ItisthatAyrtonwasnotkilledatthecorral!Thattheydraggedhimawayliving,sincehehasresisted.Therefore,perhaps,heisstillliving!"

           "Perhaps,indeed,"repliedtheengineer,whoremainedthoughtful.

           Thiswasahope,towhichAyrton’scompanionscouldstillhold.Indeed,theyhadbeforebelievedthat,surprisedinthecorral,Ayrtonhadfallenbyabullet,asHerberthadfallen.Butiftheconvictshadnotkilledhimatfirst,iftheyhadbroughthimlivingtoanotherpartoftheisland,mightitnotbeadmittedthathewasstilltheirprisoner?Perhaps,even,oneofthemhadfoundinAyrtonhisoldAustraliancompanionBenJoyce,thechiefoftheescapedconvicts.