Every one was present, so none of their party could be at the corral. Smith rose. His companions looked as if they had not heard aright. “What does he want?” cried Neb. “Is it the devil that’s ringing?” No one replied. “It is stormy weather,” said Herbert; “perhaps the electric influence——” Herbert did not finish the sentence. The engineer, towards whom all were looking, shook his head. “Wait a minute,” said Spilett. “If it is a signal, it will be repeated.” “But what do you think it is?” asked Neb. “Perhaps it——” The sailor’s words were interrupted by another ring. Smith went to the apparatus, and, turning on the current, telegraphed to the corral:—— “What do you want?” A few minutes later the needle, moving over the lettered card, gave this answer to the inmates of Granite House:— “Come to the corral as quickly as possible.” “At last!” cried Smith. Yes! At last! The mystery was about to be solved! Before the strong interest in what was at the corral, all fatigue and need of repose vanished. Without saying a word, in a few minutes they were out of Granite House and following the shore. Only Top and Jup remained behind. The night was dark. The moon, new this day, had set with the sun. Heavy clouds obscured the stars, but now and then heat-lightning, the reflection of a distant storm, illuminated the horizon. But, great as the darkness was, it could not hinder persons as familiar with the route as were the colonists. All were very much excited, and walked rapidly. There could be no doubt that they were going to find the answer to the engineer, the name of that mysterious being, who was so generous in his influence, so powerful to accomplish! It could not be doubted that this unknown had been familiar with the least detail of their daily lives, that he overheard all that was said in Granite House. Each one, lost in his reflections, hurried onward. The darkness under the trees was such that the route was invisible. There was no sound in the forest. Not a breath of wind moved the leaves. This silence during the first quarter of an hour was uninterrupted, save by Pencroff, who said:—— “We should have brought a lantern.” And by the engineer’s answer:—— “We will find one at the corral.” Smith and his companions had left Granite House at twelve minutes past 9. In thirty-five minutes they had traversed three of the five miles between the mouth of the Mercy and the corral. Just then, brilliant flashes of lightning threw the foliage into strong relief. The storm was evidently about to burst upon them. The flashes became more frequent and intense. Heavy thunder rolled through the heavens. The air was stifling. The colonists rushed on, as if impelled by some irresistible force.