Answer: Axel is at the Hamburg house he shares with his uncle, Professor Lidenbrock. It is May 24, 1863. Lidenbrock rushes home, disconcerting Martha the cook, who is not ready with dinner yet. Axel explains that his uncle is eccentric and egoistic, a mineralogist scholar and polyglot. He is brilliant, of course, but pursues his studies for himself and not for others. Although Lidenbrock does have a small speech impediment that people tend to mock, his name is much honored in the intellectual community. He is tall, thin, blonde, and possessing of “an iron constitution” (5). He has big eyes, a sharp nose, and imposing glasses. Lidenbrock's little home overlooking the canals leans a bit but holds up well. He is not poor, and houses both his orphan nephew and Grauben, a girl from Virland. Axel admires his frenetic and intelligent uncle, and himself pursues the study of geological science.Lidenbrock’s study is practically a museum; the rocks and stones and gems have always fascinated Axel. That day, though, when Axel enters he sees his uncle perusing a book in excitement and delight. Axel is confused. He simply watches and listens while his uncle exults over this text. Finally, Lidenbrock says that he is examining the Heimskringla by Snorre Turlseon, a 12th-century Icelandic author who chronicled the Norwegian princes who ruled over Iceland. Axel asks a few questions, and his uncle snottily tells him that he is looking at a runic manuscript; Axel’s pride is a little hurt due to his uncle’s manner. Before they can talk more about the runes, a filthy piece of paper falls from the book onto the floor. Lidenbrock picks it up and spreads it on the table in wonderment. It contains bizarre markings—the same runes used in the official manuscript. He mumbles that it is Old Icelandic.Martha the cook interrupts and says that dinner is ready, but the professor is too absorbed to eat. Axel, though, has no qualms about breaking off for a meal. Lidenbrock calls Axel back in to help him. He dictates the letter in an alphabet corresponding to the Icelandic characters, eventually coming up with a bunch of nonsense words. He concludes that he has found a cipher, since the letters are mixed up. This insight excites him, and he assumes that there is some great discovery to be made. He muses how the hands of the two texts that he is dealing with are different, but he cannot identify the creator of the cipher.Lidenbrock calls Axel back in to help him. He dictates the letter in an alphabet corresponding to the Icelandic characters, eventually coming up with a bunch of nonsense words. He concludes that he has found a cipher, since the letters are mixed up. This insight excites him, and he assumes that there is some great discovery to be made. He muses how the hands of the two texts that he is dealing with are different, but he cannot identify the creator of the cipher. As Lidenbrock talks, Axel’s thoughts wander to the portrait of Grauben on the wall. He and Grauben were in love and had become engaged, but his uncle did not know of these plans. Grauben was a fine mineralogist in her own right as well. Lidenbrock brings Axel's attention back and asks him to write the words vertically. They play around with their findings; at one point, Axel accidentally writes out that he loves Grauben. His uncle is momentarily surprised but turns back to his project. Eventually, Lidenbrock loses his temper because he cannot figure out any sensible message. He barrels downstairs and out the door. Martha is distressed that Lidenbrock has left. Axel informs her that Lidenbrock has said that no one is to eat until the mystery is solved. Axel wants to find Grauben and tell her what is going on, but he is worried that his uncle will return and will need his assistance. Axel himself cannot stop thinking about the document either, but he is filled with an anxiety that will not abate. He sits in a large chair and lets his ruminations wander. For a few moments he works on the document again. After a time he feels that he is almost hallucinating and starts to wave the paper in front of his face to circulate air. When he does so, he notices something about the letters, picking out actual Latin words.
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