sident of East Wellmouth. He was a stout,
prosperous-looking individual, well-dressed and with a brisk manner.
When Mr. Bangs first saw him he was standing at a point near the foot
of the bluff, and gazing intently at the view. Galusha turned the corner
above the bridge where the path re-entered the pine grove. When he
emerged again the man had walked on to the little rise by the farther
edge of the creek. He was standing there, as he had stood at the point
where Galusha first noticed him, looking about, up and down the creek,
across the little harbor, at the beaches, the sand cliffs, the pines and
the sea.

Galusha crossed the bridge and approached along the path. The stranger
heard his step and turned.

"Good-afternoon," said Galusha.

The man nodded and returned the greeting.

"Nice view from here," he observed. Galusha agreed that the view was
very nice, indeed. He passed on and turned to climb the bluff. Then the
stranger called to him.

"Excuse me," he said. "But may I ask you a question or two? Don't want
to keep you if you are in a hurry, though."

Galusha declared himself to be not in the least hurried. The man walked
toward him.

"Are you acquainted about here?" he asked.

"Why--why--ah--yes, to some extent. Yes."

"I mean do you know the lay of the land in this vicinity?"

"Why--ah--yes, I think so. Fairly well."

"I see. Can you tell me how much water there is in that channel out
yonder?" He pointed toward the mouth of the inlet, where the two lines
of creaming breakers approached each other, but did not meet.

"No--no, I am sorry, but I can't."

"How deep is it off here opposite where we're standing?"

"Dear me! I'm afraid I don't know that, either. When you asked
concerning the lay of the land I didn't understand you meant
the--ah--lay of the water. I'm very sorry."

The man laughed. "That's all right," he said. "Asked my question the
wrong way, didn't I? Well, tell me a little about the land, then. Are
the woods the other side of that hill or only on this?"

Galusha informed him concerning the extent of the pine grove. The
stranger asked some questions about the course of the creek above the
bridge, the distance from the main highway, whether the land beyond the
hill was settled or unoccupied. His final question was concerning the
Restabit Inn.

"Any other hotels around here within ten miles?" he asked. When told
there were not, he merely nodded, making no comment.

"Well, I'm much