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 there. But I speak of the present. We are here, let us profit by the opportunity.”

I was hit hard by Ned’s logic, and felt beaten. I had no other argument to advance.

“Sir,” replied Ned, “let us suppose, as an impossibility, that Captain Nemo were to offer you liberty to-day—would you accept it?”

“I am not sure,” I replied.

“And were he to say that he would not renew his offer, would you then accept it?”

I did not answer.

“And what do you think of it, friend Conseil?” demanded Ned.

“Friend Conseil!” replied that worthy, “friend Conseil has nothing to say on the subject. He is absolutely disinterested. As the master, and as is Ned, he is a single man. No wife, children, nor parents await his return. He is in his master’s service. He thinks and speaks as his master does; and, to his great regret, you must not count on him for a casting-vote. There are only two persons here—my master on one side, Ned Land on the other. So Conseil listens, and will mark the points for you.”

I could not repress a smile to see how completely Conseil annihilated his personality. The Canadian ought to have been delighted at not having him against him.

“Then, Monsieur, since Conseil does not exist, the discussion is confined to us two. I have spoken, what is your reply?”

The thing must be settled once for all, and evasion was distasteful to me.

“Friend Ned,” I said, “here is my answer. “You have had the best of it, and my arguments have not been able to stand against yours. We must not count upon the good