Journey to the Center of the Earth Page #2

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No answer.

And where is Alec McEwen?

At the university.

How long does it take

to get a letter from

Stockholm to England?

Answer the bell.

We have to speak

to Sir Oliver.

Don't tell us

he's busy.

Callers? That's

all I need.

Oliver, we all know your

reputation for rudeness.

You're also

a conscientious man.

But you've skipped

every lecture for two weeks.

I'm involved in

something important.

More important

than our university?

Something any university

would envy us.

Ah, yes!

Ha ha!

You laugh!

What does the name

Arne Saknussemm mean to you?

Saknussemm, Saknussemm.

Didn't he write about

the lost city of Atlantis?

That was

his early career.

He's famous for

his study of volcanoes.

Out of a volcano

came this message from him.

It lay unnoticed

for 100 years

until picked up

by some peasant,

gathered dust in a curiosity shop

until it came to me.

Here is a translation

of the words.

"I'm dying, but my life's work

must not be lost.

"Whoever descends into the crater

of Sneffels Yocul

"can reach the center

of the earth.

I did it.

Arne Saknussemm."

Center of the earth?

Sneffels

Yocul?

That's an extinct volcano

in Iceland.

According to this, it

must lead to an unknown region.

But this is

sheer fantasy.

You haven't heard

all of it.

There's a postscriptum.

"At sunrise on

the last day of May,

the mountain Scartaris

will point the path."

What do you say now?

I'm more mystified

than ever.

Scartaris?

Scartaris is a mountain

peak near the volcano.

This is

a student's hoax.

Wait a second,

rector.

Let's not take

that tone.

Let's assume

it's authentic.

Isn't the correct

procedure

to submit a paper

to the university officially?

You must consult

other experts.

This needs

verification.

Here is my paper.

I've written to

the foremost authority in Europe.

The Royal

Geological Society?

More eminent still.

Professor Goetaborg

of Stockholm.

Oh? And what

does he say?

I haven't

received his reply.

I've written

to him twice!

Well, then, I suggest

we relax on the matter

until your famous correspondent

sees fit to answer you.

Meanwhile, we could do

with some tea.

I know you two

think I'm daft.

Think whatever

you want.

Jenny, tea!

When did you

get here?

Just this moment,

Sir Oliver.

Look.

It's

from Stockholm.

He's got his letter

from Stockholm.

Did you see the shine

in his eyes?

There'll never

be a better moment.

Ill tell him about

our feelings for each other.

He'll say yes

almost inadvertently.

What if he says no

advertently?

You'll see how firm

my voice can be

when I speak

of you.

Blast

and damnation!

That devil!

Blast it!

What is it?

Don't keep us

in the dark.

Bad news,

sir?

I am stricken.

The University of Stockholm

informs me

that Professor Goetaborg

has vanished from Sweden.

His disappearance

follows closely the date

when my communication

must have reached him...

with all my material.

He evidently didn't think it

important enough to answer.

Or too important.

McEwen, find out when

the next ship leaves for Iceland.

I will not be beaten

to my goal.

What is your goal?

You heard

Saknussemm's message.

Oliver, you're

seriously ill.

I am

seriously well.

Don't wait.

I said hurry.

I must

start packing.

To go where?

To Iceland,

to begin with.

And then?

Where Arne Saknussemm went.

Oliver!

I can't wait while

that scoundrel named Goetaborg

exploits what I

foolishly gave him.

Don't you see

what's at stake?

The ultimate aim

of all science...

to penetrate

the unknown.

We know less

about our earth

than about the stars

and outer space.

The greatest mystery

is right here under our feet.

And now, if you'll

excuse me, gentlemen.

I must speak

with you.

I have no time

for words.

You must

take time, sir.

This is urgent.

Not for me.

I have to

go to Iceland.

I'm going with you.

Where?

To the center

of the earth.

Oh!

All Iceland

must be aware

that the Scots

have arrived.

I wish Jenny

could hear me.

Homesick already?

It's painful

to leave your fiance

on the first day

of your engagement.

But to come back

as a world famous scientist,

that's not

to be sneezed at.

Did you expect

a fight of stairs

with a red carpet?

I neglected

to tell you

I have a nervous fear

of heights.

You'll get over that

after the first

million fathoms or so.

Million fathoms.

Alec!

He's been here!

He's been

surveying here.

This is

fresh-cut wood.

Your revered colleague

from Stockholm.

He isn't wasting

any time.

Do you think he's

already gone down?

No. Saknussemm stipulated

the last day of May.

Go back to Reykjavik.

Buy every foot of rope

that's available.

Stock up on hardtack, bread,

chocolate, and medical supplies.

But more than anything,

inquire whether they

have Ruhmkorf lamps.

Have another carriage

waiting

at the foot of

the slope at sunset.

Can we prepare it

that quickly?

We must.

We're in a race.

What's that

you're taking?

Jenny's

farewell gift.

Ill keep it

with me always.

Scartaris!

Back to my hotel.

Ja, Professor Goetaborg.

Ah, my good man.

I assume my assistant

sent you.

No, thank you.

Nobody carries

the soldier's weapons.

And take your time.

These instruments

are delicate.

Easy, coachman!

Easy!

This isn't the same road

we came by this morning!

I said, slow down, man!

You're out

of your senses!

Stop your horses,

man!

This is a command!

Can't you hear me?

Slow down!

Stop, you fool!

Whoa!

If you've ruined

my instruments,

I'll horsewhip you,

so help me.

And where are we?

This certainly

is not my hotel.

Professor!

Alec!

Ah-choo!

Where are we?

Apparently in

an eider feather storehouse.

How did

you get here?

I don't know

what happened.

It went so fast.

I was clubbed

and overpowered.

Did you see

who did it?

No. I was

just walking.

Professor Goetaborg

is a criminal!

Probably he's always

dreamed of fame.

Your letter

opened the door.

Did you hear that?

Some tapping.

Don't get your hopes up,

Professor.

There's

nobody around.

Everybody's in

the market square.

Tomorrow the fishing feet

goes out.

The shops

are closed?

No. They are open,

but everything

we need

was sold already.

To Professor Goetaborg!

He stayed in the inn

where we're staying.

This time,

I heard it, too.

A fellow prisoner,

do you suppose?

He's giving us

signals.

It's a code.

Morse?

I can't

make it out.

Jot this down.

Dash, dash, dot,

dot, dot, dot, long dash.

It doesn't make

sense.

Perhaps it's

in Icelandic.

I don't think so.

We've established

contact.

I still can't

make it out.

My esteemed friend,

whoever you are,

let me introduce

myself,

Professor

Oliver Lindenbrook,

University

of Edinburgh.

May I ask you

to interrupt your tapping

and listen?

In what language

would you like me to speak?

Apparently, he doesn't

understand English.

Ill try French.

Mon cher ami,

vous et nous

sommes dans

une situation

abominable!

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