"Then he shouldn't have written the book."
"In that case how could his father have heard about his adventures?"
"His father!" exclaimed Melick. "Do you mean to say that you still accept all this as bona fide?"
"Do you mean to say," retorted Oxenden, "that you still have any doubt about the authenticity of this remarkable manuscript?"
At this each looked at the other; Melick elevated his eyebrows, and Oxenden shrugged his shoulders, but each seemed unable to find words to express his amazement at the other's stupidity, and so they took refuge in silence.
"What do you understand by this athaleb, doctor?" asked Featherstone.
"The athaleb?" said the doctor. "Why, it is clearly the pterodactyl."
"By-the-bye," interrupted Oxenden, "do please take notice of that name. It affords another exemplification of 'Grimm's Law.' The Hebrew word is 'ataleph,' and means bat. The Kosekin word is 'athaleb.' Here you see the thin letter of Hebrew represented by the aspirated letter of the Kosekin language, while the aspirated Hebrew is represented by the Kosekin medial."
"Too true," exclaimed Melick, in a tone of deep conviction; "and now, Oxenden, won't you sing us a song?"
"Nonsense," said Featherstone; "let the doctor tell us about the athaleb."