Mr. Hampton nodded, but absently. Already his mind was busy with the problem.
“Did the report state any message or papers of any sort were found on the body of the aviator?”
“No. Only that the body had been there a long time, as nothing but the skeleton remained.”
“And that was all?”
“That was all the definite information,” said Frank. “Of course, there was a word or two of speculation as to what had occurred. The theory was advanced that the aviator was flying to summon aid for Thorwaldsson, who was in some predicament, but that some accident occurred to his engine while flying, and he fell to his death.”
“A plausible enough theory,” said Farnum. “But, in that case, I can’t understand why the aviator did not bear some message from Thorwaldsson. Can you, Mr. Hampton?”
Mr. Hampton shook his head.
“That’s not the only puzzling thing,” he said. “The disappearance from the MacKenzie of Thorwaldsson’s ship, the death of the aviator, the lack of message on his body, the swallowing up of Thorwaldsson and his party, Thorwaldsson’s failure to send any radio messages—all these need explaining.
“We must face the fact,” he continued, “that some disaster of a totally unexpected nature has befallen Thorwaldsson’s expedition. And I mean by that a disaster of man’s agency. They were prepared for practically all eventualities in their grapple with nature. Although the Winter was severe, yet they were well provisioned, had Farrell who knew the country, and were prepared in every way for a lengthy stay. Even if worst came to worst, and Winter proved too much for them, some would have survived and brought out word of what had befallen.”