All bent eagerly over the Colonel’s shoulder and read. There was the whole story set forth; how Kearns and the Professor had been temporarily sojourning at Dr. Belden’s well-known Sanatorium; how in the early afternoon of June tenth they had started out in company with Dr. Jaquet; their failure to return; the search which had followed and the finding of the dead body of Dr. Jaquet by the wayside, under the great oak, blasted and riven by the lightning stroke. The article went on to describe how all search for the Doctor’s companions had so far proved utterly without result. Then followed biographical sketches of the missing men. They turned over the files and saw how day after day the papers had kept up the sensation; how rewards were offered by the many friends of Thomas Kearns for any information as to his whereabouts, living or dead. Then came the news of a monster subscription for the purpose of thoroughly dragging the rivers and otherwise continuing the search. Next came theories as to the causes of the disappearance. Had they become deranged and wandered away? This theory was discussed at length, but it hardly seemed tenable that two men should have simultaneously become mentally afflicted. Another theory was advanced that Kearns and his companion had been made away with by an organized band of malefactors, who either sought revenge upon Kearns or feared certain discoveries he might have made. Thus the news of the search and the various theories advanced kept up edition after edition, until the articles grew shorter and shorter and at last stopped altogether. The nine days’ wonder had ceased longer to be a wonder; the mystery had passed into the long list of unsolved tragedies with which the past teems. “What a queer thing it is,” commented Kearns with a laugh, glancing over his biography, “that a man has to be dead before the world finds out how good and great he was.” “I think you will find that has been the case in all generations,” replied the Colonel. “And poor Dr. Jaquet!” remarked the Professor. “To think that he should have come to his end so tragically and so suddenly after leaving us!” “Yes,” answered Kearns moodily; “our setting out that June day would seem to have been an unfortunate event for all three of us!” “Come, cheer up!” retorted the Colonel; “thank your lucky stars you are still alive and living in a world which I think you will find materially improved in many respects as compared to that of your time.” “Indeed!” exclaimed Kearns doubtfully, “tell us then, of this new world of yours.” “Not now,” answered the Colonel; “your strength and nerves have already been sufficiently tried. For the moment, I insist upon turning you over to the Doctor.” CHAPTER V THE STORY OF THE PAST