There it was permitted to remain for about half an hour, when it was taken out; and, after being scraped with the blade of a knife, was spread upon a rock, under the sun, where it would soon get thoroughly dry.
They all waited patiently for the completion of this process.

The result was of too interesting a character to allow of their occupying themselves with anything else.
In due time the eel-skin had become sufficiently dry, to be submitted to examination; and Karl, once more taking it up, balanced it upon his palm.
Tested, even in this inexact fashion, it was evidently much lighter than before; and, by the gratified look with which the philosopher regarded it, he appeared to be much better satisfied with its weight.

Still, however, he was not sanguine: as his words testified.

They were almost a repetition of what he had said before.
"It may do--it is just possible.

At all events, there can be no harm in trying.