He accordingly repaired to his own cabin. While he was gone, they gazed at each other in silence, except the major, who, with his eye fixed upon Paganel, said, as he folded his arms:
"Indeed, I must confess, Paganel, that this is a little too much."
At this moment Austin returned. He held in his hand the letter written by Paganel, and signed by Glenarvan.
"Read it, my lord," said the old sailor.
Glenarvan took the letter, and read:
"Order for Tom Austin to put to sea, and bring the Duncan to the eastern coast of New Zealand."
"New Zealand?" cried Paganel, starting.
He snatched the letter from Glenarvan's hands, rubbed his eyes, adjusted his spectacles to his nose, and read in his turn.
"New Zealand!" repeated he, in an indescribable tone, while the letter slipped from his fingers.
Just then he felt a hand fall upon his shoulder. He turned, and found himself face to face with the major.