that they referred to such mundane matters as travelling routes and
times of trains.

"Does Krag travel north with us, Nightspore? I didn't catch that."

"No. We go on first, and he joins us at Starkness on the evening of
the day after tomorrow."

Maskull remained thoughtful. "What am I to think of that man?"

"For your information," replied Nightspore wearily, "I have never
known him to lie."



Chapter 3

STARKNESS

A couple of days later, at two o'clock in the afternoon, Maskull and
Nightspore arrived at Starkness Observatory, having covered the seven
miles from Haillar Station on foot. The road, very wild and lonely,
ran for the greater part of the way near the edge of rather lofty
cliffs, within sight of the North Sea. The sun shone, but a brisk
east wind was blowing and the air was salt and cold. The dark green
waves were flecked with white. Throughout the walk, they were
accompanied by the plaintive, beautiful crying of the gulls.

The observatory presented itself to their eyes as a self-contained
little community, without neighbours, and perched on the extreme end