sed from the despair of obtaining any
light upon these points.

No wonder then that Robert, admitted by chance to his dwelling, looked
about him in curious wonder.

Cavern as it was, the room was fitted up with due regard to comfort and
even luxury.

The bed on which our hero reposed was soft and inviting. The rough stone
floor was not carpeted, but was spread with Turkish rugs. There was a
bookcase, containing perhaps two hundred books; there was a table and
writing desk, an easy-chair and a rocking-chair, and the necessarily
dark interior was lighted by an astral lamp, diffusing a soft and
pleasant light. On a shelf ticked a French clock and underneath it was a
bureau provided with toilet necessaries.

No one in the village knew how these articles had been spirited into the
cavern. No one of the villagers had assisted. Indeed, no one, except
Robert, knew that the hermit was so well provided with comforts.

Our hero found his clothes on a chair at his bedside. They were drier
and suitable for wearing.

"I may as well dress," thought Robert. "I won't go away till I've seen
the hermit. I want to thank him again for taking such good care of me."

He did not have to wait long, however. He had scarcely completed his
toilet when the hermit appeared.

"So, my young friend, you arc quite recovered from your bath?"

"Yes, sir."

"That is well."

"I think, sir, I had better go home now, for my aunt will be anxious
about me."

"I sent a message to your aunt last evening. She knew before she went to
bed that you were safe."

"Thank you, sir!"

"I am not apt to be curious, but I wish, before you leave me, to ask you
a few questions. Sit down, if you please."

Robert seated himself. He felt that the hermit had a right to ask some
questions of one whom he had saved.

"How came you so far out at sea on a frail raft? If you had been
shipwrecked, that would explain it, but as you have not been to sea, I
cannot understand it."

"I found myself on Egg Island, without any means of getting off. So I
made a raft from the timbers of the wreck and launched it. I thought it
would last long enough for me to reach land."

"It was a hazardous enterprise. But how came you on the island? Surely
you did not swim there?"

"No, sir. My uncle carried me there in his boat. He refused to take me
off unless I would give up some money which I wanted to spend for my
aunt."

"Was the money yours?"

"Yes, sir. It was given me by a