As Washington turned to leave the room, for he had entered it when Jack
and Mark were talking to aim, the latter lad asked:

"Did you want to see us about anything particular, Wash?"

"Why, I suah did," was the reply, "I did come t' tell yo' dat Perfesser
Henderson would be pleased to hold some conversations wid yo', but when
Massa Jack done mentioned about dem diamonds, I clean fo'got it.
Diamonds on de moon, eh?"

"Well, if the professor wants us we'd better go," suggested Mark. "Come
on, Jack, and stop dreaming about Reonaris and the moonbeams. Get back
to earth."

"All right; laugh if you want to," said Jack sturdily, "but the time
will come, Mark, when you'll find out that I'm right."

"How?" asked Mark.

"I don't know, but I'm sure I can prove what I say."

The two boys were to have the wonderful diamond story demonstrated to
them sooner than either expected. Following the colored man, the lads,
Jack carrying the paper, made their way to the laboratory of Professor
Henderson. His door was open, and the aged man, whose hair and beard
were now white with age, was bending over a table covered with papers,
chemical apparatus, test tubes, alembecs, Bunsen burners, globes, and
various pieces of apparatus. Another man, not quite so old as was Mr.
Henderson, was on the point of leaving the apartment.