The doorway of the ice-hut had been blocked up—not by drifting snow but by human hands. Whether this had been done from the inside or from without could not at present be determined. The ice was as hard as iron.
In response to a signal to the "Meteor," three of the crew came up with ice-axes and shovels, and began a fierce attack upon the door. When the obstruction was removed the Captain entered.
His fears were realized. The hut was empty.
"Here's a tin containing some documents," he announced. "By Jove! Cardyke claims that this is the North Pole."
"He can't be so very far out," said Lieutenant Quinton. "Does he say anything about the route?"
"No, only that he is returning after verifying his position, and asks that the finder of the document should transmit it, if possible, to the Admiralty."
"Run and fetch my sextant, Williamson," said Dacres.
"And mine," added Baskett.
Before the men could return Whittinghame pointed to a staff projecting a few inches from the ground. Attached to it were the fragments of a flag, and by dint of removing a couple of feet of snow the nationality of the flag became obvious. It had been the Stars and Stripes.
"Peary's flag, by Jove!" ejaculated Whittinghame. "All honour, gentlemen, to that intrepid American. Even if an Englishman were not the first to plant his country's flag at the North Pole there is no little consolation to be derived from the fact that an Anglo-Saxon established the priority."