He gazed from Quest to Lenora at first in blank surprise.

Then he held out his hands.
"You have good news for me, my friends!" he exclaimed.

"I am sure of it.
How unfortunate that I was not at home to receive you! Tell me--don't keep me in suspense, if you please--you have discovered my skeleton ?" "We have found the skeleton," Quest announced.
For a single moment the new-comer stood as though turned to stone.

There was a silence which was not without its curious dramatic significance.
Then a light broke across the Professor's face.

He gave a great gulp of relief.
"My skeleton!" he murmured.