im what you like. You can say, among other things, that if he
sends anyone else to intrude upon me I shall call upon him with a
riding-whip. But I leave it to you that nothing of all this appears in
print. Very good. Then the Zoological Institute's Hall at
eight-thirty to-night." I had a last impression of red cheeks, blue
rippling 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 with
Professor Challenger and the mental ones which accompanied the second,
I was a somewhat demoralized journalist by the time I found myself in
Enmore Park once more. In my aching head the one thought was throbbing
that there really was truth in this man's story, that it was of
tremendous consequence, and that it would work up into inconceivable
copy for the Gazette when I could obtain permission to use it. A
taxicab was waiting at the end of the road, so I sprang into it and
drove 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 assaulted
you."

"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 nothing
out of him--nothing for publication."

"I'm not so sure about that. You got a black eye out of him, and
that'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 leaderette
on him to-morrow that will raise a blister. Just give me the material
and I will engage to brand the fellow for ever. Professor
Munchausen--how's that for an inset headline? Sir John Mandeville
redivivus--Cagliostro--all the imposters and bullies in history. I'll
show 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 this
stuff 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 of
that 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 on
condition that I didn't." I condensed into a few sente