"David here spends all his time up on the mountain," his father said. "Maybe he's seen it."
The guest turned his big, pale, unpleasant eyes on David. "Well, David," he said, "maybe you can help me. Now, have you seen anything unusual on the mountain?"
"Unusual?" said David unsteadily. There was a pain in his chest from the pounding of his heart.
"Yes, David," the guest went on, "unusual. So unusual that you couldn't miss it: a very large bird with bright plumage."
The floor under David seemed to rock. It was true, then—it was horribly true. This was the Scientist who had been chasing the Phoenix. This was their enemy.
"Bird?" David dodged. "Wh-wh-why, there are lots of birds up there. Sparrows and meadow larks and—and sparrows...."
"But nothing like a huge bird with bright feathers?"
Well, he would have to tell a lie. After all, it was for the Phoenix's sake.
"No," said David.
"Ah," said the Scientist. But his cold eyes bored into David's for another instant, plainly saying, "I'm not fooled, young man."