Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/98

 “One last question,” I said, as this strange individual was about to retire.

“Well, Monsieur?”

“By what name shall I address you?”

“Sir,” he replied, “to you I am but Captain Nemo, and your companions and yourself are to me only passengers in the ship Nautilus.”

Captain Nemo then called the steward, to whom he gave his orders in that strange language which I could not make out; then turning to Conseil and the Canadian he said to them:

“A meal awaits you in your cabin. Be so good as to follow that man.”

“This is not to be refused,” said the harpooner, and Conseil and he quitted the cell in which they had been interned thirty hours.

“Now, M. Aronnax, our breakfast is ready. Allow me to lead the way.”

“At your orders, captain.”

I followed Captain Nemo, and as soon as I had passed the door I entered a sort of corridor, illuminated by electric light, and resembling the waist of a ship. After proceeding a short distance a second door was opened before me.

I was ushered in a dining-room ornamented and furnished in perfect taste. Oaken shelves inlaid with ebony were erected at each end of this room, upon which were displayed, in varying order, china, earthenware, porcelain, and glass of inestimable value. The table-services glittered beneath the rays which extended to the ceiling, whose fine frescoes toned down the powerful light.