The half-forgotten dreams of his youth appeared to be materializing.

Sleepy Binchester ended for him at Dialstone Lane, and once inside the captain's room the enchanted world beyond the seas was spread before his eager gaze.

The captain, amused at first at his enthusiasm, began to get weary of the subject of the island, and so far the visitor had begged in vain for a glimpse of the map.
His enthusiasm became contagious.

Prudence, entering one evening in the middle of a conversation, heard sufficient to induce her to ask for more, and the captain, not without some reluctance and several promptings from Mr.Chalk when he showed signs of omitting vital points, related the story.

Edward Tredgold heard it, and, judging by the frequency of his visits, was almost as interested as Mr.Chalk.
"I can't see that there could be any harm in just looking at the map," said Mr.Chalk, one evening.