“When you blow up the rocks, do you place the charges under them?” inquired Eric.
“O, no; that would have no effect: holes are drilled in the rock, and the charges placed within them.”
“And when the rocks are blown, what do you do with the pieces that come off?” asked Eric.
“We grapple them with hooks and chains, and draw them to the surface.”
“It is very interesting, and I am very much obliged to you for telling me so much,” said Eric. “I wish I could learn all about it.”
“Well, my boy, you shall go with me to-morrow; and, if you’re not afraid to venture, I’ll take you down beneath the sea with me. It is quite safe near Amsterdam.”
“O, thank you, sir,” said Eric, eagerly, grasping the kind Frenchman’s hand.
“I must go now to the palace,” said Mr. Lacelle. “I have an engagement there. Will you do me the honor to amuse yourself here until I return?”
“Thank you,” said Eric again, with a joyous smile; for Mr. Lacelle’s room was stored with ‘curios’ from the bottom of the sea, and Eric knew he could spend a long time very comfortably there.
He was careful to secure Froll in her cage, that she might do no mischief; and then he had a thoroughly good time, examining the sea things; and as they were all labelled with name and date, and the place from which they were taken, he gained much useful information.