This rather extraordinary observation puzzled me. I waited for him to resume, and, as he did not, I asked him what he meant. "If I knew," he said, "I'd tell you. But, come to think of it, I'd be a fool to go into details with a scientific man. You'll hear about the harbor-master--perhaps you will see the harbor-master. In that event I should be glad to converse with you on the subject." I could not help laughing at his prim and precise manner, and, after a moment, he also laughed, saying: "It hurts a man's vanity to know he knows a thing that somebody else knows he doesn't know. I'm damned if I say another word about the harbor-master until you've been to Halyard's!" "A harbor-master," I persisted, "is an official who superintends the mooring of ships--isn't he?" But he refused to be tempted into conversation, and we lounged silently on the lumber until a long, thin whistle from the locomotive and a rush of stinging salt-wind brought us to our feet. Through the trees I could see the bluish-black ocean, stretching out beyond black headlands to meet the clouds; a great wind was roaring among the trees as the train slowly came to a stand-still on the edge of the primeval forest. Lee jumped to the ground and aided me with my rifle and pack, and then the train began to back away along a curved side-track which, Lee said, led to the mica-pit and company stores. "Now what will you do?" he asked, pleasantly. "I can give you a good dinner and a decent bed to-night if you like--and I'm sure Mrs. Lee would be very glad to have you stop with us as long as you choose." I thanked him, but said that I was anxious to reach Halyard's before dark, and he very kindly led me along the cliffs and pointed out the path. "This man Halyard," he said, "is an invalid. He lives at a cove called Black Harbor, and all his truck goes through to him over the company's road. We receive it here, and send a pack-mule through once a month. I've met him; he's a bad-tempered hypochondriac, a cynic at heart, and a man whose word is never doubted. If he says he has a great auk, you may be satisfied he has." My heart was beating with excitement at the prospect; I looked out across the wooded headlands and tangled stretches of dune and hollow, trying to realize what it might mean to me, to Professor Farrago, to the world, if I should lead back to New York a live auk. "He's a crank," said Lee; "frankly, I don't like him. If you find it unpleasant there, come back to us." "Does Halyard live alone?" I asked. "Yes--except for a professional trained nurse--poor thing!" "A man?" "No," said Lee, disgustedly. Presently he gave me a peculiar glance; hesitated, and finally said: "Ask Halyard to tell you about his nurse and--the harbor-master. Good-bye--I'm due at the quarry. Come and stay with us whenever you care to; you will find a welcome at Port-of-Waves."