When they came into the room he was sitting up, and he greeted John and the boys. He could speak, but it was with a weak voice, and the boys ranged themselves on one side while John seated himself on the other.
"You told me yesterday," began John, "that when you were shipwrecked you were cast ashore on another island. How many companions had you?"
"Three," he answered. "One of them was a large man, with brown hair and piercing eyes, who was formerly an officer in the navy, and was at that time engaged in an exploring capacity, and on his way to Australia."
"Did he walk with a limp?" asked John.
The old man, as well as the boys, looked at John in surprise. He quickly answered: "Yes; did you know him?"
"No," he replied; "but we found him less than a month ago."
The old man leaned forward in his eagerness. "Where is he?" he asked.
"He is dead," answered John, gravely.
"Dead!" he exclaimed. "Dead! and do you know his name?"