“Conclusions: That the two objects were presumably a pair of living creatures; that they were either in a state of panic flight, or were water-creatures hastening to refuge, since at least one of them terminated its course in the lake; that they probably were the same creatures whose presence has been noted overhead previously by myself, Mr. Haynes, Mr. Everard Colton and others.
“Query: What relation, if any, do they bear to the death of the sheep on the beach and of the sailor Petersen?”
Professor Ravenden laid his manuscript on the table and looked at his auditors. Haynes had been making notes. Colton sat in rapt attention. Each drew a long breath as the reading closed, and the professor said:
“Gentlemen, have you any suggestions that will throw light upon these phenomena?”
Colton spoke first. “You suggested, before, an air-craft of some kind, perhaps in joke.”
“Partly,” agreed the professor. “But these were by no means large enough. Air-ships, as you doubtless are aware, are of vast extent.”
“Besides, they usually don’t travel in pairs,” said Haynes. “You can locate the spot where you saw the things, I suppose, Professor?”
“Approximately.”
“Then let’s start at once,” said the reporter, rising.
They made good speed to the lake, and examined its western shore without making any discovery. Spreading out, they scouted carefully, and had gone perhaps fifty yards, studying the ground for possible signs, when Dick Colton, who was in the middle, gave a shout and began to exhibit signs of strangulation. The others ran to him, and he turned a suffused and twitching face toward them, pointing to an oak patch near by.