“Who would have thought of finding a building like that on an island in mid-ocean?”
“It is the most extraordinary circumstance, taking it altogether, that ever came under my observation,” said the Professor, looking towards the distant edifice. “So far as I can make out, it is a castle of an early period.”
“Mediæval?”
“Well, not later than the seventh or eighth century, at the farthest. Tilly, I feel as if something remarkable was going to happen.”
“Pa, you frighten me!”
“No, I mean something that will be extraordinarily interesting. I know it. The voice of instinct tells me so. Have you your journal with you?”
“It is in the trunk.”
“Get it and your lead-pencils. We will drag the baggage further up from the water, and then we will push towards the castle. I am going to know the date of that structure before I sleep to-night.”
“There can hardly be any danger, I suppose?” suggested Miss Baffin, rather timidly.
“Oh, no, of course not; I have my revolver with me. Let me see; where is it? Ah, here. And the cartridges are waterproof. I think I will put a few things in a valise, also. We might find the castle empty, and have to depend upon ourselves for supper.”