"Now, gentlemen," said Tom Mitchell, with a smile, "you must pardon me, but I must blindfold you. Fear nothing," he added, as he saw them start. "It is the custom. No stranger has ever entered the island in any other way. Besides, you are not obliged; only if you refuse you must return."
"Do as you like," cried the elder Frenchman.
Some men who held pocket handkerchiefs now approached, and deftly bound their eyes. The boat then started. In a few minutes they felt the boat strike against another shore, and received a slight shock as it did so.
"Don't touch your bands," cried the captain; "wait a while."
They were then lifted up with every precaution by several men, who soon put them down, removing the bandages.
Looking round, they found themselves in a vast chamber, furnished with every regard to comfort and elegance.
The captain was alone, the men having left.
"Welcome, gentlemen," he said. "I hope the frank and cordial hospitality I shall offer you will make you excuse this precaution."
The strangers merely bowed.
"I need not remind you, gentlemen," continued Tom Mitchell, "that you are at home; but, in order not to detain you any longer than is absolutely necessary, let us to business. Will you follow me, sir, first?"