ch the spot, he
cried: "A skull!"

"There is more than that," said the Professor. "Remove the debris."

The boys saw portions of the skeleton plainly now. It was such a shock
to them that they could scarcely speak.

"Probably that solves the mystery of the wreckage we found."

"Undoubtedly," was the Professor's only comment.

The boys were now absolutely unnerved, but the Professor, without
noticing their agitated state, carefully removed the seaweed and other
accumulation, and found the skeleton largely disjointed, excepting the
torso, or upper portion of the frame.

[Illustration: _Fig. 28. HUMAN SKULL_]

When the entire skeleton had been taken out and arranged, the Professor
said: "It seems we are to have one mystery after the other."

"How long do you suppose this body has been here?"

"Probably ten months or more."

The boys looked at each other. "Ten months? That is as long as we have
been here."

"That is one of the reasons why I said ten months."

The boys knew what that meant. This was, very likely, one of the
_Investigator's_ boats, and the skeleton the remains of one of their
shipmates.

"Probably it was one of the boys," was George's inquiry.

"I do not think so," said the Professor. "The skeleton shows that of an
individual past middle age."

"Why do you think so?"

"Principally, from my examination, so far, on account of the condition
of the skull. You see, these saw teeth lines, which cross the top
portion. These are called the sutures, and in infancy they are not
joined. Before the third period of life these joints grow together, so
as to form an undivided skull. But wait; here is another indication. The
teeth seem to be greatly worn, showing that the person must have been
close to the sixth period of life."

This discovery was the cause of very conflicting emotions in the boys.
They reverently gathered the bones, and at Harry's suggestion the boys
went to the Cataract for the team. The Professor volunteered to remain.

We may well imagine the feelings of the boys as they went on their
mission. Here was mute evidence that others of the ill-fated ship had
met disaster. They had often speculated on the fate of their companions.
How many had been left to tell the tale!

The yaks were yoked, and taking with them a rude box, which had been put
together, as the Professor suggested, they shortly returned.

"Have you found anything new?" was George's first question.

"The poor fellow w