Then, with marvellous activity for one of his age, the professor
recovered his footing, mumbling something about tripping a heel,
then resumed his examination of the curiosities as though he had
care for naught beside.

Cooper Edgecombe turned away, and the professor improved the
opportunity by muttering to the brothers:

"Careful, lads. Give the poor fellow his own way in all things,
for he is--he surely must be--eh?"

Forefinger covertly tapped forehead, for there was no time
granted for further explanations. Edgecombe turned again,
speaking in hard, even strained tones:

"Fifteen years ago this month, on the 27th, to be exact, a
balloon with two passengers was carried away on a terrific gale
of wind which blew from the southeast. This happened in
Washington Territory. Can you tell me--has anything ever been
heard of either balloon or its inmates?"

Professor Featherwit shook his head in negation before saying:

"Not to my knowledge, though doubtless the prints of the day--"

Cooper Edgecombe shook both head and hand with strange
impatience.

"No, no. I know they were never heard from up to ten years ago,