“You must have cultivated a new form of humour, Krag.”

“I am glad if I can amuse you, Maskull, if only for a few days.”

“I meant to ask you—­how do you know my name?”

“It would be odd if I didn’t, seeing that I only came here on your account.  As a matter of fact, Nightspore and I are old friends.”

Maskull paused with his suspended match.  “You came here on my account?”

“Surely.  On your account and Nightspore’s.  We three are to be fellow travellers.”

Maskull now lit his pipe and puffed away coolly for a few moments.

“I’m sorry, Krag, but I must assume you are mad.”

Krag threw his head back, and gave a scraping laugh.  “Am I mad, Nightspore?”

“Has Surtur gone to Tormance?” ejaculated Nightspore in a strangled voice, fixing his eyes on Krag’s face.

“Yes, and he requires that we follow him at once.”

Maskull’s heart began to beat strangely.  It all sounded to him like a dream conversation.

“And since how long, Krag, have I been required to do things by a total stranger....  Besides, who is this individual?”

“Krag’s chief,” said Nightspore, turning his head away.

“The riddle is too elaborate for me.  I give up.”

“You are looking for mysteries,” said Krag, “so naturally you are finding them.  Try and simplify your ideas, my friend.  The affair is plain and serious.”

Maskull stared hard at him and smoked rapidly.

“Where have you come from now?” demanded Nightspore suddenly.

“From the old observatory at Starkness....  Have you heard of the famous Starkness Observatory, Maskull?”

“No.  Where is it?”

“On the north-east coast of Scotland.  Curious discoveries are made there from time to time.”

“As, for example, how to make voyages to the stars.  So this Surtur turns out to be an astronomer.  And you too, presumably?”

Krag grinned again.  “How long will it take you to wind up your affairs?  When can you be ready to start?”

“You are too considerate,” said Maskull, laughing outright.  “I was beginning to fear that I would be hauled away at once....  However, I have neither wife, land, nor profession, so there’s nothing to wait for....  What is the itinerary?”

“You are a fortunate man.  A bold, daring heart, and no encumbrances.”  Krag’s features became suddenly grave and rigid.  “Don’t be a fool, and refuse a gift of luck.  A gift declined is not offered a second time.”

“Krag,” replied Maskull simply, returning his pipe to his pocket.  “I ask you to put yourself in my place.  Even if were a man sick for adventures, how could I listen seriously to such an insane proposition as this?  What do I know about you, or your past record?  You may be a practical joker, or you may have come out of a madhouse—­ I know nothing about it.  If you claim to be an exceptional man, and want my cooperation, you must offer me exceptional proofs.”