I walked across to the Savage Club, but instead of turning into it I leaned upon the railings of Adelphi Terrace and gazed thoughtfully for a long time at the brown, oily river.  I can always think most sanely and clearly in the open air.  I took out the list of Professor Challenger’s exploits, and I read it over under the electric lamp.  Then I had what I can only regard as an inspiration.  As a Pressman, I felt sure from what I had been told that I could never hope to get into touch with this cantankerous Professor.  But these recriminations, twice mentioned in his skeleton biography, could only mean that he was a fanatic in science.  Was there not an exposed margin there upon which he might be accessible?  I would try.

I entered the club.  It was just after eleven, and the big room was fairly full, though the rush had not yet set in.  I noticed a tall, thin, angular man seated in an arm-chair by the fire.  He turned as I drew my chair up to him.  It was the man of all others whom I should have chosen—­Tarp Henry, of the staff of Nature, a thin, dry, leathery creature, who was full, to those who knew him, of kindly humanity.  I plunged instantly into my subject.

“What do you know of Professor Challenger?”

“Challenger?” He gathered his brows in scientific disapproval.  “Challenger was the man who came with some cock-and-bull story from South America.”

“What story?”

“Oh, it was rank nonsense about some queer animals he had discovered.  I believe he has retracted since.  Anyhow, he has suppressed it all.  He gave an interview to Reuter’s, and there was such a howl that he saw it wouldn’t do.  It was a discreditable business.  There were one or two folk who were inclined to take him seriously, but he soon choked them off.”

“How?”

“Well, by his insufferable rudeness and impossible behavior.  There was poor old Wadley, of the Zoological Institute.  Wadley sent a message:  `The President of the Zoological Institute presents his compliments to Professor Challenger, and would take it as a personal favor if he would do them the honor to come to their next meeting.’  The answer was unprintable.”

“You don’t say?”

“Well, a bowdlerized version of it would run:  `Professor Challenger presents his compliments to the President of the Zoological Institute, and would take it as a personal favor if he would go to the devil.’”

“Good Lord!”

“Yes, I expect that’s what old Wadley said.  I remember his wail at the meeting, which began:  `In fifty years experience of scientific intercourse——­’ It quite broke the old man up.”

“Anything more about Challenger?”