He broke off. The horrible suspicion which had but recently sprung up in his mind was becoming more and more pronounced.
"This is Tuesday, isn't it?" he asked.
"No, sir, Thursday," replied Captain Stormleigh.
Like a flash Ranworth understood. The stopping of both chronometer and watch was accounted for. After their exhausting experience on the ice barrier, the crew of the Bird of Freedom had slept solidly—not for twelve hours as they had imagined—but for forty-eight. Thus, while the sleigh was lying inactive, the Polarity had contrived to extricate herself from the ice, find a passage through the great barrier by keeping well to the eastward, and so arriving at the meeting place four hours before Ranworth and his party.
On the other hand, Captain Stormleigh, finding no trace of the sleigh, had naturally concluded that Ranworth had arrived before him, and had pushed on to the relief of the original expedition. When he saw the sleigh returning, as he thought, from the interior of Nova Cania, he could only come to the conclusion that nothing but the dead bodies of Claude Ranworth and his companions had rewarded the heroism and dash of the rescuers.
"But, man, you are in wireless communication with my brother," exclaimed Ranworth.
Captain Stormleigh shook his head.
"Up till the day before yesterday—yes," he replied. "From that time till now all attempts to communicate have proved in vain."
Ranworth clenched his fists.
"There may yet be time," he said. "Ask for two more volunteers, Captain. We'll make another start at once."