ition, he
would be able, undoubtedly, to reveal some of the mysteries they longed
to unravel. For all they knew, he might have been one of the crew of the
_Investigator_, but this, after all reflections, was out of the
question, because life on shipboard is rather intimate, and boys, above
all others, are most likely to remember faces.

Neither had the slightest knowledge of ever having seen him, and it was
now felt that they must await the time when he would again regain his
consciousness by the orderly course of nature.

While on the way home, George, who was seated by the Professor, mused
over the occurrences of the day. "It has always been a wonder to me to
know why it is that humanity must always be surrounded by a mystery of
some sort. It seems there is always something just beyond him, and he
must struggle and work to find it out. Why is it?"

"You have asked the great question of the ages. It is an eternal
question. Why should man know everything? That would be omnipotence. If
you stop to consider, it will occur to you that the moment man knows
everything he ceases to be a man. All energy, all effort, and every
instinct in life fades away. The association of man with man would
cease. Take the simple act of one lady calling on another. Do you think
it is merely to look at her friend, or is it done to make some inquiry?
Every action in life has in it some desire to acquire something, to get
that which man did not possess before. The quest for the things of this
life become and are the great pleasures which man enjoys. It is not
their possession. Men pursue pleasure. That is a seeking after something
just as much as hunting for wealth."

Returning to their home, the samples which the Professor and John had
gathered were carefully taken to the laboratory, and several of the
large copper receptacles cleaned for the honey. This was the part which
Angel enjoyed more than anything else. And here it may be remarked that,
when John was installed, Angel was a little shy with the stranger, but
gradually became accustomed to his presence. Somehow John could not
fully understand the creature, and often would be seen following his
motions; but within a week Angel would permit himself to be caressed
without objection, and he seemed to know that no harm could come from
the kindly faced man.

Notwithstanding the mystery of their new friend, there could be but one
course to follow. They lived on the island and were a part of