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Chapter 23: The Coral Kingdom

Originally published on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 @ 12:33 PM by Captain Nemo (captain):
The next day I woke with my head singularly clear. To my great surprise, I was in my own room. My companions, no doubt, had been reinstated in their cabin, without having perceived it any more than I. Of what had passed during the night they were as ignorant as I was, and to penetrate this mystery I only reckoned upon the chances of the future.

Updated on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 @ 12:33 PM by Captain Nemo (captain):
I then thought of quitting my room. Was I free again or a prisoner? Quite free. I opened the door, went to the half-deck, went up the central stairs. The panels, shut the evening before, were open. I went on to the platform.

Updated on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 @ 12:33 PM by Captain Nemo (captain):
Ned Land and Conseil waited there for me. I questioned them; they knew nothing. Lost in a heavy sleep in which they had been totally unconscious, they had been astonished at finding themselves in their cabin.

Updated on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 @ 12:33 PM by Captain Nemo (captain):
As for the Nautilus, it seemed quiet and mysterious as ever. It floated on the surface of the waves at a moderate pace. Nothing seemed changed on board.

Updated on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 @ 12:33 PM by Captain Nemo (captain):
The second lieutenant then came on to the platform, and gave the usual order below.

As for Captain Nemo, he did not appear.

Of the people on board, I only saw the impassive steward, who served me with his usual dumb regularity.

Updated on Wednesday, September 26th, 2018 @ 12:33 PM by Captain Nemo (captain):
About two o'clock, I was in the drawing-room, busied in arranging my notes, when the Captain opened the door and appeared. I bowed. He made a slight inclination in return, without speaking. I resumed my work, hoping that he would perhaps give me some explanation of the events of the preceding night. He made none. I looked at him. He seemed fatigued; his heavy eyes had not been refreshed by sleep; his face looked very sorrowful. He walked to and fro, sat down and got up again, took a chance book, put it down, consulted his instruments without taking his habitual notes, and seemed restless and uneasy.