"But surely your evidence is conclusive. You have only to lay itbefore the proper authorities."
"So in my simplicity, I had imagined," said the Professor, bitterly."I can only tell you that it was not so, that I was met at every turnby incredulity, born partly of stupidity and partly of jealousy. It isnot my nature, sir, to cringe to any man, or to seek to prove a fact ifmy word has been doubted. After the first I have not condescended toshow such corroborative proofs as I possess. The subject becamehateful to me--I would not speak of it. When men like yourself, whorepresent the foolish curiosity of the public, came to disturb myprivacy I was unable to meet them with dignified reserve. By nature Iam, I admit, somewhat fiery, and under provocation I am inclined to beviolent. I fear you may have remarked it."
I nursed my eye and was silent.
"My wife has frequently remonstrated with me upon the subject, and yetI fancy that any man of honor would feel the same. To-night, however,I propose to give an extreme example of the control of the will overthe emotions. I invite you to be present at the exhibition." Hehanded me a card from his desk. "You will perceive that Mr. PercivalWaldron, a naturalist of some popular repute, is announced to lectureat eight-thirty at the Zoological Institute's Hall upon 'The Record ofthe Ages.' I have been specially invited to be present upon theplatform, and to move a vote of thanks to the lecturer. While doingso, I shall make it my business, with infinite tact and delicacy, tothrow out a few remarks which may arouse the interest of the audienceand cause some of them to desire to go more deeply into the matter.Nothing contentious, you understand, but only an indication that thereare greater deeps beyond. I shall hold myself strongly in leash, andsee whether by this self-restraint I attain a more favorable result."
"And I may come?" I asked eagerly.
"Why, surely," he answered, cordially. He had an enormously massivegenial manner, which was almost as overpowering as his violence. Hissmile of benevolence was a wonderful thing, when his cheeks wouldsuddenly bunch into two red apples, between his half-closed eyes andhis great black beard. "By all means, come. It will be a comfort tome to know that I have one ally in the hall, however inefficient andignorant of the subject he may be. I fancy there will be a largeaudience, for Waldron, though an absolute charlatan, has a considerablepopular following. Now, Mr. Malone, I have given you rather more of mytime than I had intended. The individual must not monopolize what ismeant for the world. I shall be pleased to see you at the lectureto-night. In the meantime, you will understand that no public use isto be made of any of the material that I have given you."
"But Mr. McArdle--my news editor, you know--will want to know what Ihave done."
"Tell him what you like. You can say, among other things, that if hesends anyone else to intrude upon me I shall call upon him with ariding-whip. But I leave it to you that nothing of all this appears inprint. Very good. Then the Zoological Institute's Hall ateight-thirty to-night." I had a last impression of red cheeks, bluerippling beard, and intolerant eyes, as he waved me out of the room.
CHAPTER V
"Question!"
What with the physical shocks incidental to my first interview withProfessor Challenger and the mental ones which accompanied the second,I was a somewhat demoralized journalist by the time I found myself inEnmore Park once more. In my aching head the one thought was throbbingthat there really was truth in this man's story, that it was oftremendous consequence, and that it would work up into inconceivablecopy for the Gazette when I could obtain permission to use it. Ataxicab was waiting at the end of the road, so I sprang into it anddrove down to the office. McArdle was at his post as usual.
"Well," he cried, expectantly, "what may it run to? I'm thinking,young man, you have been in the wars. Don't tell me that he assaultedyou."
"We had a little difference at first."
"What a man it is! What did you do?"
"Well, he became more reasonable and we had a chat. But I got nothingout of him--nothing for publication."
"I'm not so sure about that. You got a black eye out of him, andthat's for publication. We can't have this reign of terror, Mr.Malone. We must bring the man to his bearings. I'll have a leaderetteon him to-morrow that will raise a blister. Just give me the materialand I will engage to brand the fellow for ever. ProfessorMunchausen--how's that for an inset headline? Sir John Mandevilleredivivus--Cagliostro--all the imposters and bullies in history. I'llshow him up for the fraud he is."
"I wouldn't do that, sir."
"Why not?"
"Because he is not a fraud at all."
"What!" roared McArdle. "You don't mean to say you really believe thisstuff of his about mammoths and mastodons and great sea sairpents?"
"Well, I don't know about that. I don't think he makes any claims ofthat kind. But I do believe he has got something new."
"Then for Heaven's sake, man, write it up!"
"I'm longing to, but all I know he gave me in confidence and oncondition that I didn't." I condensed into a few sentences theProfessor's narrative. "That's how it stands."
McArdle looked deeply incredulous.
"Well, Mr. Malone," he said at last, "about this scientific meetingto-night; there can be no privacy about that, anyhow. I don't supposeany paper will want to report it, for Waldron has been reported alreadya dozen times, and no one is aware that Challenger will speak. We mayget a scoop, if we are lucky. You'll be there in any case, so you'lljust give us a pretty full report. I'll keep space up to midnight."
My day was a busy one, and I had an early dinner at the Savage Clubwith Tarp Henry, to whom I gave some account of my adventures. Helistened with a sceptical smile on his gaunt face, and roared withlaughter on hearing that the Professor had convinced me.
"My dear chap, things don't happen like that in real life. Peopledon't stumble upon enormous discoveries and then lose their evidence.Leave that to the novelists. The fellow is as full of tricks as themonkey-house at the Zoo. It's all bosh."
"But the American poet?"
"He never existed."
"I saw his sketch-book."