"I believe it was a part of the Investigator's equipment," was the Professor's final conclusion. "Have you recovered all the parts from the debris?"
"I don't think we can find anything else. While Harry was away I hunted all along the point in the hope that some more pieces might have been found."
The most minute examination was made for some mark of identification, but nothing was found which would give the least clue.
"Let us gather all these pieces and keep them for further observation, particularly for the reason that other parts may be found eventually, and identification will then be easier."
"Shouldn't we take the remnant of our life-boat to the Cataract?" asked George.
"By all means. It has just occurred to me that we might use that as part of the new boat we are building."
That was an idea which had not occurred to either of the boys. Considering that the portion recovered was the stern, and by far the largest part of the vessel, and that it had the double hull construction, made the suggestion a most acceptable one.
After all parts of the wreckage had been assembled, the Professor, accompanied by the boys, made another tour, much to the left, and on returning to the boat, the Professor's eye caught a white object lying partially hidden behind a rock.
"What is that by the rock to the right?" Without waiting for a further suggestion from the Professor, Harry made his way up, and when the object was reached, threw up his hands, without uttering a word. George had followed, and before the Professor had time to reach the spot, he cried: "A skull!"
"There is more than that," said the Professor. "Remove the debris."