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Updated: May 1, 2025
But heedless of any interruption, the professor continued, "False weights! That confounded steelyard! It gave a false result! The mass was wrong! The observations contradicted the calculations; they were wrong! She was out of place! Yes, out of place entirely." "What!" cried Servadac and Procope in a breath, "out of place?" "Yes, completely," said the professor.
A thoughtful silence fell upon them all, which Servadac was the first to break. "Lieutenant," he said, "your explanation is ingenious, and accounts for many appearances; but it seems to me that in one point it fails." "How so?" replied Procope. "To my mind the theory meets all objections." "I think not," Servadac answered. "In one point, at least, it appears to me to break down completely."
Is that your conclusion, lieutenant?" "I confess I see no other alternative," answered Procope, calmly. "But isn't there another thing to be done?" said Ben Zoof. "What do you mean?" his master asked. "Why, to get off the comet before the shock comes." "How could you get off Gallia?" "That I can't say," replied the orderly. "I am not sure that that could not be accomplished," said the lieutenant.
"I think," said Lieutenant Procope, breaking his thoughtful silence, "that I can tell you of a sledge already provided for your hand, and I can suggest a motive power surer and swifter than horses." "What do you mean?" was the eager inquiry. "I mean the Dobryna's yawl," answered the lieutenant; "and I have no doubt that the wind would carry her rapidly along the ice." The idea seemed admirable.
The society of the outer salon differed essentially from the society of the inner salon at the Café Procope. It was noisier it was shabbier it was smokier.
Whilst the rest were enjoying their recreation, Servadac and the count would hold long conversations with Lieutenant Procope about their present position and future prospects, discussing all manner of speculations as to the results of the anticipated collision with the earth, and wondering whether any measures could be devised for mitigating the violence of a shock which might be terrible in its consequences, even if it did not entail a total annihilation of themselves.
Lieutenant Procope was too well acquainted with the Mediterranean to be unaware of this peculiarity, and would not lose the opportunity of ascertaining whether the submarine ridge still existed, or whether the sea-bottom between Sicily and Africa had undergone any modification. Both Timascheff and Servadac were much interested in watching the operations.
Lieutenant Procope had been left on board in charge of the Dobryna, and on resuming the voyage it was a task of some difficulty to make him understand the fact that had just come to light. Some hours were spent in discussion and in attempting to penetrate the mysteries of the situation. There were certain things of which they were perfectly certain.
Professor, I beg to acknowledge your courteous reception," gravely responded Timascheff. Servadac could not quite conceal his amusement at the count's irony, but continued, "This is Lieutenant Procope, the officer in command of the Dobryna." The professor bowed again in frigid dignity. "His yacht has conveyed us right round Gallia," added the captain.
"It must be a hundred and twenty leagues away," said the lieutenant, thoughtfully; "and I do not quite understand how you would propose to get there." "Why, on skates of course; no difficulty in that, I should imagine," answered Servadac, and he appealed to the count for confirmation of his opinion. The count assented, but Procope looked doubtful.
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