"I do, Doctor, I do," she cried; "and I promise to get well as soon as I can, so as not to detain you any longer than necessary. I shall get well! I shall get well!" and she pressed his hand to her lips in the ecstacy of her joy. "There, there," said he, a little sheepishly, withdrawing his hand, "go to sleep now, and come down to the drawing-room this afternoon." He had been in the drawing-room but a moment or so when the Professor and Will rushed in, each very excited. "Doctor!" cried Will, "what do you suppose the Count has done?" "I don't know, I'm sure. What's the matter?" "Well, by Jove, if he hasn't padlocked our cables, and very coolly informed us that we cannot sail until he gives us permission!" "What can he possibly mean!" exclaimed the Doctor in well-assumed astonishment. "We must see about this matter. Where is he?" "We left him at the globe," said the Professor. "I cannot comprehend the meaning of this. Let us go at once and see him." "Surely he must be joking you," said the Doctor, as they walked rapidly toward Silver Cloud. They found a group standing beneath the globe; and, as Will had said, every anchor and cable was heavily padlocked. Dr. Jones stepped briskly up to Count Icanovich and said with all the sharpness he could command: "What is the meaning of this, Sir Count? Why have you padlocked these cables?" "Evidently I could have but one object; to prevent your casting them off." "But why? What right have you to do so?" "Simply the right of might. But come," said he, looking over the company, "let us talk this matter over together. Shall we return to the castle?" "Suppose we ascend to the cabin," said the Doctor. "There we can talk without interruption." So, two by two, they all ascended to the sittingroom of the cabin. The Doctor and Count were the first to go up. "I shall make a great demonstration of anger, and may talk pretty sharply, Count, but you will know my meaning," said the former, as they landed in the engine-room. "I perfectly understand; act your part, Doctor." When they were all seated in the sittingroom, the Doctor immediately reiterated the question: "What is the meaning of this high-handed proceeding, Count Icanovich?" "It simply means that I cannot consent to let you go at present, Doctor Jones." "And do you really mean to detain us by force?" "I do, if necessary." "Will you kindly tell us your object, and by what authority you dare to delay a United States' expedition? Do you not know that our Government will demand heavy reprisals for this action upon your part?"