"Humph! Yes, he does seem very reticent. His father as good as said, as I think I told you, that this was a voyage of discovery, a search for something he wanted to take back, and which was to make his country very great. But he has never said what, and it would be so very ungentlemanly to seem curious." "But you do feel curious to know, don't you, uncle?" "Well, I must confess, my boy, that I do--a little jealous, perhaps, of another man's success, for I did learn as much as this, that he felt pretty sure of being successful if he could get the brig sound again. Well, I suppose we shall know some day." "I don't like to say any more to Morny, uncle. It would seem so small; and besides, he never questions me anything about what we are doing-- only seems very much interested." "You are quite right, Rodd. It would be mean and petty. Leave it to them, and if they like to take us into their confidence, well and good. If they do not, well, it is no business of ours." "Why, uncle," cried Rodd suddenly, and then he stopped. "It isn't because--" Rodd stopped short again, looking straight away over the sea, as if in deep thought. "Well, my boy? It isn't because what?" "Oh, I don't like to say, uncle. You would laugh at me." "How do you know that? Wait and see," cried Uncle Paul. "Now then, what were you thinking?" "I was wondering whether they could be trying to discover that which we found quite by accident." "That which we found quite by accident, Pickle?" "Yes, uncle, and that may be the reason why they don't like to talk about it. You see, all ships' captains and people have been so laughed at, and told that they are inventing fables, that they are very quiet and like to keep things to themselves, just the same as Captain Chubb was when we saw that thing. You see, uncle--" "Go on, Pickle! Go on!" cried Uncle Paul. "Oh, I haven't much more to say, uncle, only this--if ordinary captains are so particular about speaking, and so afraid of ridicule, wouldn't a big scientific man like the Count, who has fitted out an expedition for the discovery, be very careful too, lest the object of his voyage should get about? But oh, nonsense! It's ridiculous. It can't be that. Don't laugh at me, uncle. It's only what I thought." "I was not going to laugh at you, Rodney, my boy," said the doctor quietly, "for the simple reason that I do not see anything to laugh at. It's a very clever, good idea, and quite possible. Yes, my boy, it's more than possible. I don't say that you are right, but very likely to be. The Count and his son are French, and, like their countrymen, very touchy and sensitive and afraid of ridicule. I shouldn't be at all surprised, my boy, if that really is the reason for their being so secretive in their ways." "I am glad you think so, uncle," cried the boy. "No, no, no; don't take it like that. It may be after all only a fancy of yours."