“What secret?” asked M. Fridrikssen, starting.
“Oh, just a secret which—” my uncle stammered.
“Have you some private document in your possession?” asked our host.
“No; I was only supposing a case.”
“Oh, very well,” answered M. Fridrikssen, who was kind enough not to pursue the subject when he had noticed the embarrassment of his friend. “I hope you will not leave our island until you have seen some of its mineralogical wealth.”
“Certainly,” replied my uncle; “but I am rather late; or have not others been here before me?”
“Yes, Herr Liedenbrock; the labours of MM. Olafsen and Povelsen, pursued by order of the king, the researches of Troïl the scientific mission of MM. Gaimard and Robert on the French corvette La Recherche , and lately the observations of scientific men who came in the Reine Hortense , have added materially to our knowledge of Iceland. But I assure you there is plenty left.”
“Do you think so?” said my uncle, pretending to look very modest, and trying to hide the curiosity was flashing out of his eyes.
“Oh, yes; how many mountains, glaciers, and volcanoes there are to study, which are as yet but imperfectly known! Then, without going any further, that mountain in the horizon. That is Snæfells.”
“Ah!” said my uncle, as coolly as he was able, “is that Snæfells?”
“Yes; one of the most curious volcanoes, and the crater of which has scarcely ever been visited.”