Таинственный остров

           Atthatmomentsheetsoflightningspreadovertheislandandilluminedthedarktrees.Theflashesdazzledandalmostblindedthem.Evidentlythestormwouldnotbelonginburstingforth.

           Theflashesgraduallybecamebrighterandmorerapid.Distantthundergrowledinthesky.Theatmospherewasstifling.

           Thecolonistsproceededasiftheywereurgedonwardsbysomeirresistibleforce.

           Atteno’clockavividflashshowedthemthepalisade,andastheyreachedthegatethestormburstforthwithtremendousfury.

           Inaminutethecorralwascrossed,andHardingstoodbeforethehut.

           Probablythehousewasoccupiedbythestranger,sinceitwasfromthencethatthetelegramhadbeensent.However,nolightshonethroughthewindow.

           Theengineerknockedatthedoor.

           Noanswer.

           CyrusHardingopenedthedoor,andthesettlersenteredtheroom,whichwasperfectlydark.AlightwasstruckbyNeb,andinafewmomentsthelanternwaslightedandthelightthrownintoeverycorneroftheroom.

           Therewasnoonethere.Everythingwasinthestateinwhichithadbeenleft.

           "Havewebeendeceivedbyanillusion?"murmuredCyrusHarding.

           No!thatwasnotpossible!Thetelegramhadclearlysaid,—

           "Cometothecorralimmediately."

           Theyapproachedthetablespeciallydevotedtotheuseofthewire.Everythingwasinorder—thepileontheboxcontainingit,aswellasalltheapparatus.

           "Whocameherethelasttime?"askedtheengineer.

           "Idid,captain,"answeredAyrton.

           "Andthatwas—"

           "Fourdaysago."