Rather surprised, I said Yes, when he produced a thing like calipers and got the dimensions back and front and every way, taking notes carefully. He was an unshaven little man in a threadbare coat like a gaberdine, with his feet in slippers, and I thought him a harmless fool.

'I always ask leave, in the interests of science, to measure the crania of those going out there,” he said. 'And when they come back, too?” I asked. 'Oh, I never see them,” he remarked; 'and, moreover, the changes take place inside, you know.” He smiled, as if at some quiet joke. 'So you are going out there. Famous. Interesting, too.” He gave me a searching glance, and made another note. 'Ever any madness in your family?” he asked, in a matter-of-fact tone. I felt very annoyed. 'Is that question in the interests of