"No," cried Paganel, "it certainly does not mean Patagonia. Read anything you will but that."
"But what?"
"Cosmogonie! théogonie! agonie!"
"Agonie!" cried the major.
"That is indifferent to me," replied Paganel; "the word has no importance. I shall not even search for what it may signify. The principal point is that Austral means Australia, and we must have been blindly following a false trail, not to have discovered before so evident a meaning. If I had found the document, if my judgment had not been set aside by your interpretation, I should never have understood it otherwise."
This time cheers, congratulations, and compliments greeted Paganel's words. Austin, the sailors, the major, and Robert especially, were delighted to revive their hopes, and applauded the worthy geographer. Glenarvan, who had gradually been undeceived, was, as he said, almost ready to surrender.
"One last remark, my dear Paganel, and I have only to bow before your sagacity."
"Speak!"
"How do you arrange these newly-interpreted words, and in what way do you read the document?"