dly. Another
instant and the square was turned toward her. She gave a cry when she
saw the figure drawn upon it.

[Illustration]

"Notice," said the professor, "how large and Caesarean is the head. It is
the crude outline of a man whose arms are outstretched as if in appeal
to or in adoration of some god. The attitude is full of dignity and
strength. It is unquestionably an ancient graffito."

He turned to the table and lifted the second square. "I have been
working for years in scientific fields," he began once more, "accepting
what small honors came my way, grateful that I have been able to name
two new species of flowers. Now, I have chanced upon something in the
boundless stretches of the plains that promises reward as well as fame.
Heretofore, no scientific men, strictly speaking, have searched the
prairies for archaeological traces. Hunters, travelers, soldiers,
priests, and statesmen have gone across, their eyes bent on different
phases of the country. And so it was for me, an humble student, to
uncover the undreamed-of."

He turned once more to those behind him, holding up the second
pasteboard. The little girl shrank in her seat as the three accusing
letters, written large upon it, fell beneath her apprehensive gaze:

[Illustration]

The professor looked hurriedly at his watch, seized his hat and the
drawings, and made a parting bow. "I leave on the coming train," he said
regretfully; "I see that it is now almost due. I promise you that I
shall return in the near future. Until then, farewell."

The crowd parted respectfully to let him pass as he hastened down the
steps of the grand stand and away. The little girl looked after him
undecidedly. Then, a quartet having moved between her and the colonel's
son, she cast aside the gilded rock and the cotton batting and threaded
the assemblage on the run.

The two had the short, dusty road to themselves, and they traveled it
rapidly. The professor, with a rod's start, kept well ahead of the
little girl, and came into the depot on time, his hat in his hand. She,
breathless, arrived a moment later, just as the engine slowed down.

The professor had heard no one behind him, for all noise had been
drowned by his own rush. So, without looking back, he sprang toward the
last coach and swung himself on by the rail of the farther steps, his
drawings under one arm, his hands encumbered with the box and bag which
he had picked up in the waiting-room. Suddenly a voice