“And so, in spite of devotion and courage unparalleled, the eighty-fourth degree has never been passed. And we may even assert that it never will be by means of ships or sledges. It is not given to man to face such dangers and support such extremes of temperature. It is by other means we must advance to the conquest of the Pole!”
From the subdued murmur of the audience it was evident that therein lay the interest of the communication. What was this secret?
“And how are you going to capture it?” asked the Canadian.
“Before ten minutes are up you will know, sir,” replied Barbicane, “and in addressing the shareholders generally I say, Have confidence in us, for the promoters of the affair are the same men who embarked in the cylindro-conical—”
“The cylindro-conical,” interrupted Todrin—
“Dared to venture to the moon.”
“And have come back as we see!” added Todrin, not without signs of disapproval.
“Yes,” continued Barbicane, “within the next ten minutes you will know what we propose.”
A murmur of “Oh!” and “Eh!” and “Ah!” rose in answer to the reply.
It seemed as though the orator had said, “Within the ten minutes we shall be at the Pole!”