"Nothing can be simpler," said the major. "Five months ago, in the Frith of Clyde, when we studied the three documents, their interpretation seemed clear to us. No place but the western coast of Patagonia could, we thought, have been the scene of the shipwreck. We had not even the shadow of a doubt on the subject."
"Very true," added Glenarvan.
"Afterwards," resumed the major, "when Paganel, in a moment of providential absent-mindedness, embarked on board our vessel, the documents were submitted to him, and he unhesitatingly sanctioned our search upon the American coast."
"You are right," observed the geographer.
"And, nevertheless, we are mistaken," said the major.
"Yes, we are mistaken," repeated Paganel; "but to be mistaken is only to be human, while it is the part of a madman to persist in his error."
"Wait, Paganel," continued the major; "do not get excited. I do not mean that our search ought to be prolonged in America."
"What do you ask, then?" inquired Glenarvan.
"Simply the acknowledgment that Australia now seems to be the scene of the Britannia's shipwreck as much as South America did before."
"Granted," replied Paganel.