The captain nodded.
"I have not recovered from the strange illness which overtook me in New Orleans, as a result of inhaling the poisonous odor given off by the head of that idol. I feel that another attack is coming upon me—I have felt it for several hours—and, inasmuch as the government is watching the work of the Grampus with the intention of buying her at a good round price if she makes good, our sealed orders must be carried out. For this work, Matt, you are my choice; you are to command the Grampus, do everything that you think—that you think——"
Captain Nemo, Jr., paused, struggled with the words for a space, then drooped slowly forward and fell from his seat to the floor of the room. There he lay, unconscious and breathing heavily.
[CHAPTER III.]
THE SEALED ORDERS.
For a brief space Motor Matt and Cassidy stood looking down at the prostrate form crumpled at their feet. The captain had been stricken so suddenly that they were astounded.
Cassidy took a look through the periscope and lashed the wheel; then he hurried to help Matt, who was lifting the unconscious man to a long locker at the side of the room.
"He ain't never been right since he was sick in New Orleans," muttered Cassidy. "He jumped into work before he was well enough."
The captain's former illness had been of a peculiar nature. An idol's head, steeped in some noxious liquor that caused the head to give off a deadly odor, was, according to his firm belief, the cause of his sickness. Carl had also come under the influence of the poisonous odor, but it had had no such effect upon him. However, no two persons are exactly alike, and sometimes a thing that will work havoc with one may have no effect upon another.