Harry had made the identical marking which were[p. 216] on the two skulls, which, it will be remembered, showed the characters + V, and below these three X X X, followed by a star.
"I suspected as much," said John. "They were, quite possibly, on the same quest. But where did they get the information?" And he turned to the Professor for a possible explanation.
The latter was now thoroughly interested. "Unless Walter chooses to tell, the matter may not be solved, unless Clifford recovers, and even though he should regain his physical powers, the mind may have relapsed into its late condition."
By agreement John and the boys remained at the Professor's home that night, awaiting symptoms of the patient's disease, and during the night they recounted over and over again the adventures they had undergone, and the experiences with the natives.
They conversed about the new enterprise into which they were to embark, and the Professor congratulated them on the decision to remain and enter the commercial, or business field. "After all," he said, "there is nothing which so broadens a man as to have an occupation, and give to that business the energies of his mind."
"Of course, there are many things that the natives must learn, but they are so willing to work, that it is a pleasure to show them," said Harry. "The best men we have had in the shops were the common natives, but there is one thing that has always been troublesome, and that is to give them different names."
"That is just what I had in mind for some time," added George. "It didn't make much difference[p. 217] where there were only a few,—a hundred or so, but now, when we have three hundred or more it is rather confusing to have a dozen or more Lolos, and as many more Walbes, and names like that."
"It might be a good idea to suggest that each one have a sort of surname, so that there will be no difficulty of that kind hereafter," suggested John.
"A family name would be the proper thing," added the Professor.
"For my part, I don't see how people can get along without it," remarked George.