"Certainly," agreed Sir Reginald. "It is our manifest duty to do so. And, if we can identify any of them, it will also be our painful duty to make public the particulars of their most miserable fate, and, if possible, communicate with their relatives; also to despatch to those relatives any relics that they may have left behind them. Ask Lobelalatutu if he happens to know what became of the poor souls' belongings." Von Schalckenberg put the question, and learned in reply that whatever may have belonged to the unhappy party would undoubtedly be found in the king's palace. "Of course," remarked the professor, "we might have guessed as much! Well, is there anything more that we wish to ask our black friend?" "Ask him whether any portion of the wreck still exists, and, if so, where it is to be found," suggested Sir Reginald. The professor and Lobelalatutu conversed together for a few minutes, and then the former, turning to his companion, said-- "The chief tells me that the wreck has disappeared, but that he can point out to us the spot where it lay. I think we ought to examine it, do not you?" "Undoubtedly," agreed Sir Reginald. "We may perhaps be able to go over and take a look at it to-morrow, after this matter of the choice of a new king is settled. Meanwhile, there goes the luncheon-bell. After lunch we might give the `palace' an overhaul, and see what we can find of interest there." So it was arranged, and Lobelalatutu then received his dismissal. In accordance with Sir Reginald's suggestion, he, the professor, Lethbridge, and Colonel Sziszkinski quietly left the ship that same afternoon, about three o'clock, to institute a search in the palace for any relics of the shipwrecked party that M'Bongwele might have preserved. Mildmay very willingly agreed to remain on board the ship to keep the ladies company, and see, generally, that nothing went amiss with them. But before they left the ship, von Schalckenberg handed to each of the party a small box, about half the size of this book. "Our experiences in the forest, the other day, when we were lost there," said he, "suggested to me the importance of providing some means of communicating with the ship--and with each other, if need be--under similar circumstances, and the outcome of my cogitations upon the subject is these little boxes, which are all precisely alike." He opened the one he held in his hand, and proceeded to explain the use of the instrument.