," remarked the professor, "we might have guessed as much!
Well, is there anything more that we wish to ask our black friend?"

"Ask him whether any portion of the wreck still exists, and, if so,
where it is to be found," suggested Sir Reginald.

The professor and Lobelalatutu conversed together for a few minutes, and
then the former, turning to his companion, said--

"The chief tells me that the wreck has disappeared, but that he can
point out to us the spot where it lay. I think we ought to examine it,
do not you?"

"Undoubtedly," agreed Sir Reginald. "We may perhaps be able to go over
and take a look at it to-morrow, after this matter of the choice of a
new king is settled. Meanwhile, there goes the luncheon-bell. After
lunch we might give the `palace' an overhaul, and see what we can find
of interest there."

So it was arranged, and Lobelalatutu then received his dismissal.

In accordance with Sir Reginald's suggestion, he, the professor,
Lethbridge, and Colonel Sziszkinski quietly left the ship that same
afternoon, about three o'clock, to institute a search in the palace for
any relics of the shipwrecked party that M'Bongwele might have
preserved. Mildmay very willingly agreed to remain on board the ship to
keep the ladies company, and see, generally, that nothing went amiss
with them.

But before they left the ship, von Schalckenberg handed to each of the
party a small box, about half the size of this book.

"Our experiences in the forest, the other day, when we were lost there,"
said he, "suggested to me the importance of providing some means of
communicating with the ship--and with each other, if need be--under
similar circumstances, and the outcome of my cogitations upon the
subject is these little boxes, which are all precisely alike."

He opened the one he held in his hand, and proceeded to explain the use
of the instrument.

"It is very simple," he said. "Let us assume that you wish to
communicate with the ship. You draw your box from your pocket, and
press firmly upon this small black knob, thus: and a bell instantly
rings in the pilot-house, and in every one of the habitable chambers of
the ship--for I have coupled them all up together in order that,
wherever the occupants of the ship may be, they will hear at least one
of the bells, and will know that one of us is calling. Incidentally I
may mention that a bell will at the same time ring in each of our
instruments. Listen!"

The pro