M. Zermatt handed over the tiller to Jack, and came forward with the intention of questioning Mr. Wolston, who removed the telescope from his eye and said:
"No; I am mistaken."
"What are you mistaken about, Wolston?" M. Zermatt enquired. "What did you think you saw over there?"
"Smoke."
"Smoke?" echoed Ernest, who had come up, disturbed by the reply.
For the smoke could only come from some camp pitched on that part of the shore. And that theory involved some disturbing questions. Was the island inhabited by savages? Had they come from the Australian shore in their canoes and landed, and would they attempt to penetrate into the interior? The inhabitants of Rock Castle would be in considerable danger if such people ever set foot within the Promised Land.
"Where did you see the smoke?" M. Zermatt asked sharply.
"There—above the last point that projects from the shore on this side."
And Mr. Wolston pointed to the extreme end of the land, twelve miles or so away, which beyond that point turned off to the south-west and was lost to sight.
M. Zermatt and Ernest, one after the other, examined the indicated spot with the utmost care.