Suddenly the clock struck eight. The first stroke of its hammer on the chime snapped me out of my musings.

忽然大钟响八下了。大钟的锤子第一下敲在铃上，把我从梦中吵醒，

I shuddered as if some invisible eye had plunged into my innermost thoughts, and I rushed outside the stateroom.

我全身抖起来，好像有一只无形的眼贿穿透我思想的最秘密的地方，我急急走出这个房间。

There my eyes fell on the compass. Our heading was still northerly. The log indicated a moderate speed, the pressure gauge a depth of about sixty feet.

到客厅中，我的眼睛就盯在罗盘上面。我们的方向总是往北。测程器指的是平常的速度，压力表指出船在六十米左右深的水层。

So circumstances were in favor of the Canadian's plans.

所以周围的环境对加拿大人的计划都有利。

I stayed in my stateroom. I dressed warmly: fishing boots, otter cap, coat of fan-mussel fabric lined with sealskin.

我回到我的房中。我多穿了一些衣服，使身上暖和，海靴、水獭帽、海豹皮里子的贝足丝织的外衣都穿戴上了。

I was ready. I was waiting. Only the propeller's vibrations disturbed the deep silence reigning on board.

我准备好了，我等着。只有推进器的震动打断了船上的沉寂。

I cocked an ear and listened. Would a sudden outburst of voices tell me that Ned Land's escape plans had just been detected? A ghastly uneasiness stole through me. I tried in vain to recover my composure.

我用心听，我竖起耳朵来。是不是有些喊叫声，向我说明尼德·兰的逃走计划突然被发觉了吗？我感觉十分惶恐不安。

A few minutes before nine o'clock, I glued my ear to the captain's door. Not a sound.

差几分就要到九点钟了。我把耳朵贴着船长的房门。听不出声音来。

I left my stateroom and returned to the lounge, which was deserted and plunged in near darkness.

我走出我的房间，我回到厅中，厅中半黑不明，没有人。

I opened the door leading to the library. The same inadequate light, the same solitude. I went to man my post near the door opening into the well of the central companionway.

我打开跟图书室相通的门，室内光线同样黯淡，同样是冷清清的。我到挨近门的地方站着，这门对着中央楼梯的笼间。

I waited for Ned Land's signal.

我等待尼德·兰的信号。

At this point the propeller's vibrations slowed down appreciably, then they died out altogether.

这时候，推进机的震动显然减低了，一会儿就完全没有响声了。

Why was the Nautilus stopping? Whether this layover would help or hinder Ned Land's schemes I couldn't have said.

诺第留斯号的行动为什么有变化呢？船这次停住对于尼德·兰的计划是顺当或是不利，那我可不能说。