“To Dr. Colton’s opinion I must add my own for what it is worth,” said Professor Ravenden.
“Can you qualify as an expert?” asked the reporter with the rudeness of rasped nerves. He was surprised at the tone of certainty in the scientist’s voice as he replied:
“When in search of a sub-species of the Papirlionido in the Orinoco region, my party was attacked by the Indians that infest the river. After we had beaten them off, it fell to my lot to attend the wounded. I thus had opportunity to observe the wounds made by their slender spears. The incision under consideration bears a rather striking resemblance to the spear gashes which I saw then. I may add that I brought away my specimens of Papilionidointact, although we lost most of our provisions.”
“No man has been near enough the spot where Serdholm was struck down to stab him,” Haynes said. “Our footprints are plain: so are his. There are no others. What do you make of that?” He was not yet ready to reveal the whole astounding circumstance.
“Didn’t I hear somethin’ about that juggler that was cast ashore from the Milly Esham bein’ a knife-thrower?” asked Bruce timidly. “Maybe he spiked Serdholm from the gully.”
“Then where’s the knife!” said Haynes. “He’d have to walk out to get it, wouldn’t he?”
“You must have overlooked some vestigia,” said the professor quietly. “The foot may have left a very faint mark, but it must have pressed there.”
“No; I’m not mistaken. Had you used your eyes, you would have seen.”
“How far did Bruce’s footprints go?” asked Colton.
The three looked at the coast-guard, who stirred uneasily. “Gentlemen,” said he, “I’m afraid there’s likely to be trouble for me over this.” His harassed eyes roved from one to the other.