Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-01

Tarp Henry, who had come down early
to hear the result Of my venture.
His only remark was. There's some
new stuff. bruzicura or something, which
is better than arnica."
Some people have such extraordinary
notions of humOr
1t was nearly half-past ten before had
received my message: but taxicab took
me round in good time for my appoint
ment. 1t was an imposing porticoed
house at which we stopped and the heav-
lily curtained windows gave every indi-
cation of wealth upon the part of this
| formidable professor. The door was
opened by an odd, swarthy, dried-up per-
son of uncertain age, with a dark pilot
Jacket and brown leather CATERS.
found afterward that he was the chauf-
feur who filled the gaps left by a success
sion of fugitive buffers. He looked me
UP and down with a searching light blue
eye.
.'Expected?" he asked.
IAN appointment"
Got your letter."
1 produced the envelope.
Right. He seemed to be a person of
few words.
Following him down the passage, I was
suddenly interrupted by a small woman
who stepped out from what proved to be
the dining room door. She was a bright.
vivacious, dark-eyed lady, more French
| than English in her type.
"One moment she said. You can
| wait. Austin. Step in here, sir. May I
ask If you have met my husband be-
mo, madam, have not had the hon
or"
Then I apologize to you in advance.
I must tell you that he is perfectly
impossible pefson-absolutely impossible!
If you are forewarned, you will be the
more ready to make Allowances
1T is most considerate of you, madam -
Get quickly out Of the room II he
seems inclined to be violent Don't wait
to argue with him. Several people have
ward there is public scandal, and it re-
fleets upon me and all Of US. I suppose
it wasn't about South America you want
ed to see him?'
I could not lie to a lady.
Dear me! That is his most dangerous
subject. You won't believe a word he
says-Im sure don't wonder. But DOM
tell him so. for it makes him very vio-
may get through all right. Remember,
he believes it himself. OF that you may
be assured. A more honest man never
lived. Don't wait any longer, or he may
suspect. If you find him dangerous.
really dangerous. ring the bell and hold
him off until come. Even at his worst
can usually control him.
With these encouraging words the lady
handed me over to the taciturn Austin,
who had waited like bronze statue Of
and 1 was conducted to the end of the
passage. There was tap at a door. a
bulls below from within, and was face
to face with the professor.
broad table, which was covered with
books, maps and diagrams. AS I entered
his seat spun round to face me.
His appearance made me gasp. I was
for so overpowering a personality as this.
1t was his size which took ones breath
away, his size and his imposing presence.
His head was enormous. the largest I
am sure that his top hat. had I ever
ventured to don 1t. would have slipped
over me entirely. and rested on my Shout
ders. He had the face and beard which
I associate with an Assyrian bull; the
former ford. the latter so black as al
most to have suspicion of blue, spade
shaped and ripping down over his chest.
The hair was peculiar, plastered down in
front in a long. curving wisp over his
massive forehead. The eyes were blue
gray under great black tufts. very clear.
very critical and very masterful. A huge
spread Of shoulders and chest like a
barrel were the other parts Of him which
appeared above the table, save for two
enormous hands covered with long black
hair. This. and a believing, roaring,
rumbling voice. made up my first impress
sion Of the notorious Prof. Challenger:
"Well?u said he. with most 1nsolent
1 must keep up my deception for at
least little time longer; otherwise here
was evidently an end Of the interview.
'tYou were good enough to give me an
appointment, SIR" said / humbly, pro-
ducing his envelope.
He took my letter from his desk, and
laid it out before him. '-Oh, you are the.
young person who cannot understand
illusions you are good enough to approve.
as l understands
Entirely. sir. entirely!' I was very
emphatic.
ton very much, does it not? Your age
and appearance make your support dou-
bly, valuable. Well, at least you are better
than that herd Of swine in Vienna, whose
offensive than the. isolated effort of the
British hog" He glared at me as the
present representative Of the beast.
'"They seem to have behaved abom-
inably," said I.
II assure you that can fight my own
Of your sympathy. Put me alone, sir,
and with my back to the WALL G. E. c. is
happiest then. Well. sir, let us do what
We can to curtail this visit, which can
pressibly irksome to me. You have. as
I have been led to believe, some COM
ments to make upon the proposition
which 1 advanced in my thesis
There was a brutal directness about
his methods which made evasion difficult.
I must still make play and wait for
better opening. 1t had seemed simple
enough at a distance. Oh, my Irish
wits! Could they not help me now when
1 needed help so sorely?
He transfixed me with two sharp steely
eyes. Come! Comet" he rumbled.
II am, of course. a mere student" said
I. with a fatuous smile! Hardly more. I
might say, than an earnest inquirer. At
the same time, it seemed to me that you
were little severe, upon Weissmann in
this matter. Has not the general evil
dence since that date tended towel, to
strengthen his position?
What evidence?" He spoke with a
menacng calm.
well, of course. am aware that there
is not anywhere you might call definite
evidence I allude merely to the trend Of
modern thought and the general scientific
point OF view, II might 50 express it,
He leaned forward with great earnest