.

AN ENIGMA FROM THE SEA.
Lieutenant Procope had been left on board in charge of the _Dobryna_, and on resuming the voyage it was a task of some difficulty to make him understand the fact that had just come to light.

Some hours were spent in discussion and in attempting to penetrate the mysteries of the situation.
There were certain things of which they were perfectly certain.

They could be under no misapprehension as to the distance they had positively sailed from Gourbi Island towards the east before their further progress was arrested by the unknown shore; as nearly as possible that was fifteen degrees; the length of the narrow strait by which they had made their way across that land to regain the open sea was about three miles and a half; thence onward to the island, which they had been assured, on evidence that they could not disbelieve, to be upon the site of Gibraltar, was four degrees; while from Gibraltar to Gourbi Island was seven degrees or but little more.

What was it altogether?
Was it not less than thirty degrees?
In that latitude, the degree of longitude represents eight and forty miles.