“When you were in the throes of delirium, you would not be quieted until I had the chest brought in here alongside the lizard. The eggs are still inside.”

He crossed to the other side of the sick bay and lifted the chest lid. I caught a golden glint.

“I told Mr. Bynoe and the seamen not to lay a hand on it, and Fitzroy will not interfere. If my boy savior wants to take a special interest in some rare specimens, then the least I can do is grant this wish.” He leaned closer and softened his tone. “You do realize that the eggs will not survive, dear boy. We have had no success with bringing back live egg specimens. Depending on its diet, the lizard may fare better.”

Bring the eggs back?

Eight dragon eggs. Most likely the only dragon eggs in the world. If they didn’t survive the trip …

“No. They belong here. In the Galapagos.”

Mr. Darwin scratched his whiskers and gave a little shake of his head, pouches of worry forming beneath his eyes.

“We would be better off blowing them or preserving them, then at least they won’t spoil …” He swallowed and looked away. He wanted to make a hole in the eggs and blow out the contents—or, if there were young inside, they would …

“No!” My broken voice was shrill as I struggled to sit upright. “Please … sir. No …”

Mr. Darwin pressed my shoulders gently so I lay back on the pillow.

“Covington. Mr. Bynoe said strictly no excitement. You must rest now. I will not touch the eggs, or the lizard. You have my word on it.”

My eyelids were too heavy, my voice slurring. He was right about the eggs not surviving—there had to be another way. Another place where they would have a chance. Maybe they were close to hatching.

“They can’t die … They are the only … Leave them on Albe … marle,” I gasped. “In a … cave …”

My throat seized up and I sipped more water, now feeling as though I might vomit it back up.

“I am sorry, dear boy, believe me. But the Galapagos are now some five hundred miles behind us. Our next stop is Polynesia, over four thousand miles distant.”

My mouth dropped open in horror. Even in my state of exhaustion, I needed to gather myself enough to make him believe me. I cleared my throat, wincing.

“It was a dragon, on my life, I swear. A miracle. Bigger … than a whale, with scales, and reptile in shape. Four legs, leathery wings that were huge beyond belief … I was not delirious, sir, I swear it …”

My hoarse whisper died off and I managed to hold the cup myself, although my head felt as if it might float clear off my body. Mr. Darwin observed me like a new specimen. If the young scientist wanted to make a name for himself, he had to understand that this would be the find of his life and would surely make him world-famous.