"When you have seen the two living specimens of the great auk,
and have satisfied yourself that I tell the truth, you may be
wise enough to listen without prejudice to a statement I shall
make concerning the existence of the strangest creature ever
fashioned. I will merely say, at this time, that the creature
referred to is an amphibious biped and inhabits the ocean near
this coast. More I cannot say, for I personally have not seen
the animal, but I have a witness who has, and there are many
who affirm that they have seen the creature. You will
naturally say that my statement amounts to nothing; but when
your representative arrives, if he be free from prejudice, I
expect his reports to you concerning this sea-biped will
confirm the solemn statements of a witness I _know_ to be
unimpeachable.
"Yours truly, BURTON HALYARD.
"BLACK HARBOR."
"Well," I said, after a moment's thought, "here goes for the
wild-goose chase."
"Wild auk, you mean," said Professor Farrago, shaking hands with me.
"You will start to-night, won't you?"
"Yes, but Heaven knows how I'm ever going to land in this man
Halyard's door-yard. Good-bye!"
"About that sea-biped--" began Professor Farrago, shyly.
"Oh, don't!" I said; "I can swallow the auks, feathers and claws, but
if this fellow Halyard is hinting he's seen an amphibious creature
resembling a man--"
"--Or a woman," said the professor, cautiously.
I retired, disgusted, my faith shaken in the mental vigor of Professor
Farrago.