Chapter 12, Oom Paul Summary

Dr. van der Berg contacts his uncle, Dr. Paul Kreuger, and informs him about the discovery of the diamond mountain on Europa. Van der Berg sends the message in a relatively unknown language and with cryptic references that only Dr. Kreuger understands. Dr. Kreuger, also called Oom Paul, deciphers the message with no trouble. He does have doubts about the mountain being made of diamond and starts to research the possibilities.

Chapter 12, Oom Paul Analysis

Oom Paul's research into the possibility of Mount Zeus being made of diamond serves to begin an explanation of how the phenomenon could have happened. This short chapter also reveals that Dr. van der Berg's secret is now shared, which means that someone else might intercept the message and understand the meaning as well.