Well, Mr.Tesman was a kindly, benevolent old gentleman.

He did not know what to make of that caller.

After telling him that they wished to render his stay among the islands as pleasant as possible, and that they were ready to assist him in his plans, and so on, and after receiving Heyst's thanks--you know the usual kind of conversation--he proceeded to query in a slow, paternal tone: "And you are interested in-- ?" "Facts," broke in Heyst in his courtly voice.

"There's nothing worth knowing but facts.

Hard facts! Facts alone, Mr.Tesman." I don't know if old Tesman agreed with him or not, but he must have spoken about it, because, for a time, our man got the name of "Hard Facts." He had the singular good fortune that his sayings stuck to him and became part of his name.