“At the glacial period?” he asked.
“Glacial period be hanged! Within a hundred years, more or less.”
“You don’t mean it?”
The two men gazed at each other. Frank looked incredulous, but Randall was convinced.
“Mark you,” resumed the geologist, “I have closely examined the drift and strata of this region. All point to this conclusion. Also that the basin has been occupied by water at different intervals. What I mean, is that the presence of water has been periodical.”
Frank rubbed his eyes.
“In that case——”
“The place may become submerged again, and I believe that the period is not far distant. If my hypothesis is correct,” continued the geologist, “we have a very logical explanation of the abandonment of this country by its inhabitants.”
Frank was so overcome by the astounding force of this declaration that for a time he could not speak.
After some thought he said: