The Delta independent., 1916-06-16

of the press upon such an expedition
"Then l move" said Professor Chal-
lenger. that both these gentlemen be
elected as representatives OF this meet
ing to accompany Professor SumDer-
lee upon his journey to investigate and
to report upon the truth of my state
ments."
And 50, amid shouting and cheering
our fate was decided, and | found my
self borne away in the human current
which swirled toward the door, with
my mind half stunned by the vast new
project which had risen so suddenly
before it. As emerged from the hall
l was conscious for a moment of
rush of laughing students down the
pavement and Of an arm welding a
heavy umbrella, which rose and fell in
the midst Of them. Then, amid a mix
ture Of groans and cheers, Professor
Challenger's electric brougham slid
from the curb. and found myself
walking under the silvery lights of
Regent street, full of thoughts of
Gladys and of wonder as to my fu-
ture.
Suddenly there was a touch at my
elbow. l turned and found myself
looking into the humorous, masterful
eyes of the tall, thin man who had
volunteered to be my companion on
this strange quest.
Mr. Malone, / understand" said he.
I'VE are to be companions-what? Ny
rooms are just over the road in the
Albany. Perhaps you would have the
kindness to spare me half an hour, for
there are one or two things that bad
ly want to say to you"
Lord John Roxton and turned down
Vigo street together and through the
dingy portals of the famous aristocrat-
ic rookery. At the end of long drab
passage my new acquaintance pushed
open a door and turned on an electric
switch. A number of lamps shining
through tinted shades bathed the whole
great room before us in a ruddy radi-
ance. Standing in the doorway and
glancing round me, 1 had a general i'm
preston of extraordinary comfort and
elegance combined with an atmos-
phere Of masculine virility. Every
where there were mingled the luxury
of the wealthy man of taste and the
careless untidiness of the bachelor.
One by one he took out a succession
of beautiful rifles. opening and shut
ting them with a snap and clang
and then patting them as he put them
back into the rack as tenderly as q
mother would fondle her children.
This is a Bland's .577 axite express"
said he. Il got that big fellow with
it," He glanced up at stuffed white
rhinossros. Ten more yards and he
On that cosical bullet his one chance
hangs.
Tis the weak oae's advantage fair.
Hope you know your Gordon. for
he's the poet Of the horse and the gun
and the man that handles both. Now,
here's a useful tool-.470. telescope
sight. double ejector. point blank up
to three-fifty That's the rife | used
against Peruvian slave drivers three
years ago. | was the fail of the Lord
up In those parts. | may tell you,
though you won't find 1t in any blue
book. There are times. young fellah,
when every one Of us must make
stand for human right and justice or
fou BtNtT letI uEdlu why
| made a little war on my own. De-
clared 1t myself. waged 1t myself. end.
ed it myself. Each OF those hicks Is
for slave murderer good row Of
them what? That big one is for Pc
dro Lopez. the king OF them all. that
killed In a backwater OF the PutomayO
river. Now. here's something that
would do for you He took out
beautiful brown and silver rife "well
rubbered at the stock. sharply sighted.
Ave cartridges to the clip You can
trust your life to that" He handed It
to me and closed the door OF his oak
cabinet.
by the way" he continued. coming
back to his chair. what do you know
u this Professor Challenger
Il never saw him till today"
well. neither did I. It's funny we
should both sail under sealed orders
from a man we don't know. He seem.
ed nm uppish old bird. His brothers Of
science don't seem too fond OF him.
either. How came you to take an in
terest in the AFFAIR.""
| told him shortly my experiences of
the morning. and he listened intently.
Then he drew out map OF South
America and laid It on the table.
II believe every single word he said
TO you was the truth, said he earnest
ly. and. mind you. have something
to go on when I speak like that South
America is a place ] love. and think.
II you take II right through from Da-
rien TO Fuego. it's the grandcst. richest.
most wonderful bit Of earth upon this
planet"
Tint night. wearicd as ! was after
the wonderful happenings of the day