"But may I ask you one question ?" "None, sir." There was no resisting this imperious command, it would have been useless.

I went down to the cabin occupied by Ned Land and Conseil, and told them the Captain's determination.

You may judge how this communication was received by the Canadian.
But there was not time for altercation.

Four of the crew waited at the door, and conducted us to that cell where we had passed our first night on board the Nautilus.
Ned Land would have remonstrated, but the door was shut upon him.
"Will master tell me what this means ?" asked Conseil.
I told my companions what had passed.

They were as much astonished as I, and equally at a loss how to account for it.
Meanwhile, I was absorbed in my own reflections, and could think of nothing but the strange fear depicted in the Captain's countenance.