"No, he did not!"
"What!" exclaimed Van. "Did you know him?"
"I did, and do now."
"Where is he, then? Won't you take me to him?"
"He stands before you, my boy. I am your father!"
Had a bombshell exploded, Van could not have been more astounded.
Was it possible that he had found his father in the heart of the Dark Continent?
It seemed scarcely probable, and yet, as he gazed at the man before him, he felt that it was certainly true.
With a coolness that was remarkable under the circumstances, the president drew a time-worn pocketbook from his pocket.
Opening it, he drew forth three small photographs.