"It would take too long to explain, sir. Dr. Eberstein, who told me about these things, is the best person to consult."
"I wish to consult no one," said the parson, drawing himself up. "I believe the heart to be a symbol of the Druids."
"A symbol of Atlantis rather," insisted Montrose; "this very land on which we are was part of the great continent of Atlantis."
"A mere fable, sir. You are thinking of the myth which Plato mentions."
"It is no myth, but an actual truth, Mr. Sparrow. Atlantis did exist and was overwhelmed by that flood you will find mentioned in the Bible."
"Absurd! The name of Atlantis is not mentioned in Holy Scripture. There is no proof that what Plato says is true."
"This much proof, that as far back as archæologists can go the civilisation of Egypt was in full swing. Where did that civilisation come from?"
"It grew up in the Valley of the Nile."
"Certainly, but the beginnings were brought to the Valley of the Nile by a highly civilised race. Remember it was the Egyptian priests who told Plato about Atlantis. They knew, because Egypt was a colony of that mighty continent. There was another colony in Central America, and you will find the vast ruins of its cities described in a book by Désiré Charnay. The civilisation of Mexico and Peru destroyed by the Spaniards was the last remains of the splendour of the Atlanteans."