She knew the moment her eyes fell upon him that he had come to tell her something, and what it was he had to tell.
"Margaret," said he, beginning to speak as soon as he had seated himself, "I have made up my mind about that shaft.

It would be absolutely wicked if I were not to go down to the bottom and see what is there.

I have discovered something--something wonderful--and I do not know what it is.

I can form no ideas about it, there is nothing on which I can base any theory.

I have done my best to solve this problem without going down, but my telescope reveals nothing, my camera shows me nothing at all." She sat perfectly quiet, pallid and listening.
"I have thought over this thing by day and by night," he continued, "but the conclusion forces itself upon me, steadily and irresistibly, that it is my duty to descend that shaft.