was still an end of wire hanging, though eaten away with rust.
The sides were very thick, and strong enough to bear great pressure.
It was evidently of Champagne origin, and the Major said immediately,
"That's one of our Clicquot's bottles."

Nobody contradicted him, as he was supposed to know;
but Lady Helena exclaimed, "What does it matter about the bottle,
if we don't know where it comes from?"

"We shall know that, too, presently, and we may affirm this much already--
it comes from a long way off. Look at those petrifactions all over it,
these different substances almost turned to mineral, we might say,
through the action of the salt water! This waif had been tossing
about in the ocean a long time before the shark swallowed it."

"I quite agree with you," said McNabbs. "I dare say this frail concern
has made a long voyage, protected by this strong covering."

"But I want to know where from?" said Lady Glenarvan.

"Wait a little, dear Helena, wait; we must have patience with bottles;
but if I am not much mistaken, this one will answer all our questions,"
replied her husband, beginning to scrape away the hard substances
round the neck. Soon the cork made its appearance, but much damaged
by the water.

"That's vexing," said Lord Edward, "for if papers are inside,
they'll be in a pretty state!"

"It's to be feared they will," said the Major.