The nature-student contemplated the wild blossom which he was now idly twirling between his fingers by its stem.
"It perplexes me," he mused aloud.
The others looked at him; one said: "What perplexes you, Von
Dresslin?"
"That bird."
"The eagle?"
"The eagle which comes every day to circle above Les Errues. I, an amateur of ornithology am, perhaps, with all modesty, permitted to call myself?"
"Certainly," said several airmen at once.
Another added: "We all know you to be a naturalist."
"Pardon—a student only, gentlemen. Which is why, perhaps, I am both interested and perplexed by this eagle we see every day."
"It is a rare species?"