"He's got to come aboard this time, anyhow!" he exclaimed. "I'll take no refusal. I want to know that fellow better." But this time De Beauxchamps had no thought of refusing the hospitalities of the Ark. As soon as he was within hearing he called out: "My salutations to M. Versál and his charming fellow-voyagers. May I be permitted to come aboard and present myself in person? I have something deeply interesting to tell." Everybody in the Ark who could find a standing-place was watching the _Jules Verne_ and trying to catch a glimpse of its gallant captain, and to hear what he said; and the moment his request was preferred a babel of voices arose, amid which could be distinguished such exclamations as: "Let him come!" "A fine fellow!" "Welcome, De Beauxchamps!" "Hurrah for the _Jules Verne!_" King Richard was in the fore rank of the spectators, waving his hand to his preserver. "Certainly you can come aboard," cried Cosmo heartily, at the same time hastening the preparations for lowering the ladder. "We are all glad to see you. And bring your companions along with you." CHAPTER XIX TO PARIS UNDER THE SEA De Beauxchamps accepted Cosmo Versál's invitation to bring his companions with him into the Ark. The submersible was safely moored alongside, where she rode easily in company with the larger vessel, and all mounted the companion-ladder. The Frenchman's six companions were dressed, like himself, in the uniform of the army. "Curious," muttered Captain Arms in Cosmo's ear, "that these _soldiers_ should be the only ones to get off--and in a vessel, too. What were the seamen about?" "What were _our_ seamen about?" returned Cosmo. "How many of _them_ got off? I warned them that ships would not do. But it was a bright idea of this De Beauxchamps and his friends to build a submersible. It didn't occur to me, or I would have advised their construction everywhere for small parties. But it would never have done for us. A submersible would not have been capacious enough for the party I wanted to take." By this time the visitors were aboard, and Cosmo and the others who could get near enough to grasp them by the hand greeted them effusively. King Richard received De Beauxchamps with emotion, and thanked him again and again for having saved his life; but, in the end, he covered his face and said in a broken voice: "M. De Beauxchamps, my gratitude to you is very deep--but, oh, the queen--the queen--and the children! I should have done better to perish with them." Cosmo and De Beauxchamps soothed him as well as they could, and the former led the way into the grand saloon, in order that as many as possible might see and greet their visitors, who had come so mysteriously up out of the sea.