o be about forty. Still, he might have been
either ten years older or younger. He had a sharp but pleasant face that
had been warmed to a deep brown by the ardent rays of the tropic sun.
His moustache and full beard in the fashion of the day, was dark brown,
almost black, and was closely trimmed like his hair, which was quite
gray--an individual that you would know at once as a man that had done
something worth while. His movements were deliberate, but so easy and
graceful that there was not a fraction of wasted effort, and much
quicker than they appeared to be. His eyes were clear and penetrating,
and, as Juarez expressed it, "seemed to look right through you."

"That's the professor," whispered Jo to Jim as the man came into the
rotunda where the boys were waiting. "There isn't much of him, but he's
all there."

Coming toward them, he cast a rapid glance over the group that seemed to
appraise them all in one moment.

"You are James Darlington," he said in a pleasant drawl, advancing to
Jim with outstretched hand. "I would recognize you anywhere from your
likeness to your brothers. I am very glad to meet you. And," turning to
the engineer.

"Mr. Berwick," answered Jim. "He is the chief engineer of the Sea
Eagle."

"Glad to know you, Mr. Berwick," said the professor. "I suppose,
Mr. Darlington, that these young gentlemen have told you about my
expedition. Not yet. Oh, by the way, have you dined? No? So much the
better. Neither have I, so we will have dinner first and our talk
later."

"But," objected Jim.

"Objection overruled," returned the professor promptly. "You are my
guests to-night. I hope you are hungry."

"No," replied Berwick, "we are way beyond that. We're starved."

"Then we won't delay any longer," returned the professor with a low
laugh that was pleasant to hear, and leading the way to the dining room.

"Shall I order the meal?" he asked, when they were seated at the table.
"There are some dishes they have here that I can specially recommend."

"All right," said Tom. "I'm ready to tackle anything."

When the meal, during which all reference to the purpose which had
brought them together was strictly tabooed, was over, the professor
invited them to his rooms and told them to make themselves at home, and
he would explain the purpose he had in view.

"Now," began the professor, settling himself in a big chair and lighting
a curious looking pipe, "where shall I start?"

"That's a queer lookin