"Michel," said Barbicane, "during our journey we shall have plenty of time to investigate the deepest questions. Now we must think of starting."
"Are we not ready?"
"Certainly. But there are still some precautions to be taken to deaden the first shock as much as possible!"
"Have we not water-cushions placed between movable partitions elastic enough to protect us sufficiently?"
"I hope so, Michel," answered Barbicane gently; "but I am not quite sure!"
"Ah, the joker!" exclaimed Michel Ardan. "He hopes! He is not quite sure! And he waits till we are encased to make this deplorable acknowledgment! I ask to get out."
"By what means?" asked Barbicane.
"Well!" said Michel Ardan, "it would be difficult. We are in the train, and the guard's whistle will be heard in twenty-four minutes."
"Twenty!" ejaculated Nicholl.
The three travellers looked at one another for a few seconds. Then they examined all the objects imprisoned with them.