One of the scholars was talking about that—Doyle had also written "The Lost World" and seemed fascinated by the idea of ancient wonders being discovered by modern means, and maybe of himself being a prophet of it. He was a big fan of the Piltdown Man hoax. His interest in the fairies might've ridden a line between the profitability, vague belief in spirits, and the sheer fun of making the public do a double-take.