“And we have found too this poor old fellow in his sort of cell.”
“Exactly,” said Sir James.
“Well, we know that, however old, no man could exist without nutriment. Consequently we have just had proof that a tribe of the natives must have regular communication with this place.”
“Yes, I suppose that must be the explanation,” said Sir James.
“And I am disappointed,” said the doctor, “because I was in hopes that we had the place all to ourselves so that we could go on with our interesting researches.”
“Well, it would have been better,” said Sir James. “But so long as they don’t interfere with us it will not matter.”
“And very likely,” put in Mark, “if they come and find us here they will keep away.”
“That’s what I hope,” said the doctor.
“And you think,” said Dean, “that some of these people have been and carried that old fellow away?”
“Yes, my boy; that’s exactly what I do think.”