Joe removed the item from the handbag and placed it on the coffee table in front of them. The professor’s eyes widened as soon as he saw it. He studied the siblings, then turned his attention once more to the curious image. "May I?" he said, leaning forward and picking it up. After superficially inspecting the peculiar semblance and casting several inquisitive glances at Joe, he withdrew a microcassette from his inside coat pocket and, with the skills of a physician, began describing the details of the unusual stone, down to the cracks and crevices.