It was late that afternoon, and Henry and Judge were standing in front of the general store, when Pete Gonyer and Professor Fossil came to town in a buckboard. Pete Gonyer was of medium size, swarthy, possibly forty years of age. Professor Charles Winston Norbert, jokingly called Professor Fossil, was well over six feet in height, bony and angular, with a deeply-lined face, and wearing thick-lense glasses. Pete Gonyer went over to the King’s Castle Saloon, while the Professor came to the store. Henry had never met the man, but Judge had, and he introduced Henry. “And how are the fossils coming, Professor?” asked Henry. “I beg pardon, sir--but fossils do not come--they have been here for aeons.” “Sorry--my mistake,” said Henry. “I presume that you meant to ask if I had been successful. Yes, I believe I have, thank you.” “The fossil fish of this valley--are they of the upper Palaeozoic or of the Mesozoic rocks, Professor?” Professor Fossil looked keenly at Henry Harrison Conroy. “That I shall have to determine,” he replied. “I have them classified as to location and depth, and I can assure you that I have some wonderful specimens.” “Perhaps I am foolish to ask you, sir,” said Henry, “but have you found a specimen of the _Ichtus Fillari_?” “No, I haven’t, sir--much to my regret. I doubt if any exists in this local formation. However, I am still searching.” “I wish you luck, sir,” said Henry soberly. “Yes--thank you, gentlemen. Well, I must do a little shopping.” Henry and Judge went on over to the hotel porch, where they sat down to wait for the supper bell to ring. “Henry, what in the name of all that is holy, is an _Ichtus Fillari_?” asked Judge. “I am not exactly sure myself,” replied Henry soberly. “It must have been a fish.” “Have you ever seen one, Henry?” “Judge, I give you my word, I never even heard of one before.” “You--you made that name up, sir?” “I believe I did, Judge. I feel that it is possible to create a fossil fish that even an archaeologist hasn’t found yet.” “Hm-m-m-m,” hummed Judge thoughtfully. “I had no idea you had ever studied such things. Palaeozoic and Mesozoic rocks. Your knowledge amazes me, Henry. I wonder what Professor Fossil thinks of your--shall we say, knowledge of archaeology?” “It might be rather interesting to know,” said Henry quietly. “Somewhere, sometime I read an article on prehistoric rocks. The names of the Palaeozoic and the Mesozoic came to mind, and I used them in the right spot, it seems. Hm-m-m-m-m. I seem to remember something--” “It is my opinion,” remarked Judge, “that if you have any urge of concentration, you might well try thinking of something that will clear up the local crime situation. What happened a million years ago will have little bearing on high-grading and murder.” “Perhaps you are right, Judge. Ah, there is the dinner-bell. I jump from the Palaeozoic to--well, to hash.” * * * * *