“By sea, crossing the bay. That’s the most direct way.”
“No doubt; but it is impossible.”
“Why?”
“Because we don’t possess a single boat at Reykjavík.”
“You don’t mean to say so?”
“You will have to go by land, following the shore. It will be longer, but more interesting.”
“Very well, then; and now I shall have to see about a guide.”
“I have one to offer you.”
“A safe, intelligent man.”
“Yes; an inhabitant of that peninsula. He is an eiderdown hunter, and very clever. He speaks Danish perfectly.”
“When can I see him?”
“Tomorrow, if you like.”
“Why not today?”
“Because he won’t be here till tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow, then,” added my uncle with a sigh.
This momentous conversation ended in a few minutes with warm acknowledgements paid by the German to the Icelandic Professor. At this dinner my uncle had just elicited important facts, amongst others, the history of Saknussemm, the reason of the mysterious document, that his host would not accompany him in his expedition, and that the very next day a guide would be waiting upon him.