Scranton closed the journal, leaned back in his chair and looked questioningly at Milton Rhodes.
"There you are!" he said. "I told you that I was bringing you a mystery, and I trust that I have, at least in a great measure, met your expectations."
There was silence for a moment.
"Hellish mountain!" said Rhodes. "Hellish mountain! Noble old Rainier a hellish mountain!
"Pardon my soliloquy," he added suddenly, "And I want to thank you, Mr. Scranton, for bringing me a problem that, unless I am greatly in error, promises to be one of extraordinary scientific interest."
Extraordinary scientific interest! What on earth did he mean by that?
"Still," he subjoined, "I must confess that there are some things about it that are very perplexing, and more than perplexing."
"I think I know what you mean. And that explains why the story has been kept a secret all these years."
"Your grandfather, Mr. Scranton, seems to have been a well-educated man."
"Yes; he was."