topped, and the heavily-curtained
windows gave every indication of wealth upon 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
gaiters. I found afterwards that he was the chauffeur, who filled the
gaps left by a succession of fugitive butlers. 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 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 before?"

"No, madam, I have not had the honor."

"Then I apologize to you in advance. I must tell you that he is a
perfectly impossible person--absolutely impossible. If you are
forewarned you will be the more ready to make allowances."

"It is most considerate of you, madam."

"Get quickly out of the room if he seems inclined to be violent. Don't
wait to argue with him. Several people have been injured through doing
that. Afterwards there is a public scandal and it 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 dangerous subject. You won't believe a
word he says--I'm sure I 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. 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 I come. Even at his worst I can usually
control 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 interview, and I was conducted to the end of the passage. There
was a tap at a door, a bull's bellow from within, and I was face to
face with the Professor.

He sat in a rotating chair behind a broad table, which was covered with
books, maps, and diagrams. As I entered, his seat spun round to face
me. His appearanc