Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-08-05
CHAPTER II.
Face to Face With Professor.


WV WIEN I called on Wednesday
AMAF there was q letter with the
% N West Kensdngton pOStmark
upon it and my name scrawl-
ed across the envelope in a handwrit-
Ing which looked like a barbed wire
railing. The contents were as fol-
lows:
Enmore Park, w.
Sir-rsRrswe duly received your note, in
which you claim 10 indorse my views, al
though I am not aware that they are de-
pendent upon Endorsement either from you
or any one else. You have ventured to
use The word speculation with regard to
my statement upon the subject or Darwin
ism, and 1 would call your attention to
the fact that such a word in such a con-
nection is offensive to a degree. The con-
text convinces me, however. that you have
sinned rather through ignorance and tact
leSsneSs than through malice, so am con-
tent to pass the matter by You quote an
isolated sentence from my lecture and APP
pear to have some difficulty in understand
ing it, | should have thought that only
a subhuman intelligence could have failed
TO grasp the point. but X it really needs
arnplification 1 shall consent to see you at
the hour named, though visits and visitors
Of every sort are exceeding distasteful TO
AS to your suggestion that L may
modify my opinion would have~you know
deliberate expression of my mature views.
You will kindly show the envelope of this
letter TO my man, Austin, when you call
as he has to take every precauton TO
shield me from the intrusive rascaIs VINO
call themselves journalists Yours faith
fully,
GEORGE EDWARD CHALLENGER.
It was nearly half past 10 before l
had received my message, but taxi
cab took me round in good time for
my appointment. It was an imposing
porticoed house at which we stopped,
and the heavily curtained windows
gave every indication of wealth on the
part Of this formidable professor. The
door was opened by an odd, swarthy,
dried up person Of uncertain age,
with a dark pilot jacket and brown
leather CATERS. I found afterward
that he was the chauffeur who filed
the gaps left by succession of fugi-
tive buffers He looked me up and
down with a searching light blue eye.
"Expected?' he asked.
"An appointment"
Got your letter.
I produced the envelope.
Right He seemed to be a person
of few words Following him down
the passage. / was suddenly interrupt
ed by a small woman, who stepped out
from what proved to be the dining
room door. She was a bright, viva
cious, dark eyed lady, more French
than English in her type.
zone moment" she said. you can
wait, Austin. Step in here, sir. May
I ask if you have met my husband be
fore?''
NO. madam; I have not had the
honor"
Then I apologize to you in advance.
I must tell you that lie is a perfectly
impossible person-absoluteIy impossi-
Bile. If you are forewarned you will be
the more ready to make allowances"
1T is most considerate of you, mad
am"
Get quickly out of the room if he
seems inclined to be violent. Don't
wait to argue with him. Several peo-
pie have been injured through doing
that. Afterward there is a public scan
dal and il reflects upon me and all of
US. I suppose it wasn't about South
America you wanted to see him?"
I could not lie TO a lady
Dear me, That is his most danger
he says. I'm sure don't wonder. But
don't tell him so, for it makes him very
violent. Pretend to believe him and
you may get through all right Re
member he believes it himself OF
that YOU may be assured. A more hon
est man never lived Don't wait any
longer or he may suspect If you find
him angerous-really dangerouS-ring
the bell and hold him off until ! come.
Even at his worst l can usually con
trOl him"
With these encouraging words the
lady handed me over to the taciturn
Austin, who had waited like a bronze
statue Of discretion during our short in
tcryiew, and l 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.
He sat in rotating chair behind a