Chapter 3 3. He is a completely intolerable person

When I went to inquire on Wednesday, there was a letter from me.I just copy here the end of the letter: "When you come, please show the envelope to Austin, my manservant, for he must take every precaution to protect me from the intrusion of rogues who call themselves 'journalists.' Your faithful George Edward Challenger" I read the letter to Tarph Henry.He came early to hear the result of my adventure. It was around ten-thirty when I got the letter, but the taxi that took me to the appointment took a long time to get around, and the door was opened by a strange man of indeterminate age, who I later found out was the driver. Blue eyes looked me up and down.

"Are you ready to see you?" he asked. "Appointment." "Do you have a letter?" I took out the envelope. "Okay!" He seemed to be a man of few words.Following him down the aisle, I was suddenly stopped by a small woman coming out of the dining room door.She was a lively, dark-eyed lady, more French than English in type. "Wait a minute," she said, "you can wait, Austin. Come here, sir. May I ask, have you seen my husband before?" "No, ma'am. I haven't had the honor." "Then I apologize to you in advance. I must tell you that he is an utterly intolerable man--absolutely intolerable. If he seems to be making a move, get out of the room quickly. Don't wait to argue with him." Well, a lot of people got hurt because of that. Then the scandal became public, and it affected me, and it affected us all. I don't think you want to see him for South America, do you?"

I can't lie to a lady. "My God! That's the most troublesome subject. You won't believe a word he says--I'm sure of it. But don't tell him that, because it'll make him fly. Pretend to believe him, what the hell And it won't happen. Remember, he believed that himself. One thing you can trust, there's never been a more honest man. Don't stay any longer, or he'll be suspicious. If you see There is danger—real danger—please ring and I will come.” Saying these encouraging words, the lady opened the door.During our brief chat, Austin, standing like a statue waiting, led me to the end of the aisle.There was a tap on the door, a bull roar from within, and I was face to face with the professor.

He sat in a swivel chair behind a wide desk covered with books, maps, and charts.As I entered, his chair turned towards me, and his sight stopped me.I was expecting something unexpected, but I didn't expect to see such a depressing figure.His head was enormous. I never saw a man with such a big head.I am sure his hat, if I had the audacity to put it on, would go from my head to my shoulders.He has a big black beard and a huge vestibule.The eyes under the thick tufts of black hair were blue-gray, very bright, very sharp, and very aggressive.The other parts of the body above the table are broad shoulders and a barrel-like chest, and two large hands covered with long black hair.These bull-roaring voices were my initial impression of Professor Challenger.

"Huh?" he said, staring at me haughtily. "What's up?" "It's very kind of you, sir, to allow me an appointment," I said, taking out the envelope he wrote on. He took my letter from his desk and laid it before him. "Oh, you're that young man who doesn't understand even simple things, isn't it you? I understand that you agree very well with my general conclusions?" "Exactly, sir. Exactly." "Dear me! That makes my point pretty solid, doesn't it? Your age and looks make your support worthwhile. Well, at least you're better than those stupid pigs in Vienna."

He stared at me. "They are outrageous." "I tell you the truth, I don't need your sympathy. Well, sir, let's do what will shorten this visit. It's hard to be pleasant for you, and very unpleasant for me. I thought you had some advice to say." His arrogant directness made things difficult.But things seem to be very simple before the arrival.Oh, my Irish wit, can't help me now, when I need your help so badly?His two piercing eyes stared intently at me. "Speak, speak!" he said. "Of course I can only count as a student," I said with a happy smile. "While I agree with you, it seems to me that you're being a little too hard on Weissmann in this matter. Isn't there general evidence from that day, eh!, to solidify his opinion? "

"What evidence?" he said with menacing composure. "Well, of course, I don't think there's anything you could call definitive evidence. I mean general scientific opinion, if I may express it that way." He leaned forward very earnestly. "I thought you thought—" He said something about the constant factor.Constant factors I don't understand at all, but bravely answer: "Of course it is." I didn't understand the few words he said after that, but every time I said it, I deliberately exclaimed "No doubt" or "Oh, it must be!" I was very proud of my performance.

"But what does that prove?" he asked in a mild voice. "Hey, what the hell is it?" I muttered. "What does it prove?" "Shall I tell you?" he asked. "please!" "It proves," he growled suddenly, "that you're a lowly four-legged journalist who doesn't know anything about science!" He jumped to his feet, eyes blazing with anger.Even at such a moment, I was surprised for a moment to find that he was very small, and his head did not reach my shoulders. "Baffling!" he cried, leaning forward with his fingers resting on the table. "Sir, I've been talking to you about scientific nonsense. Do you think you can fool me? Do you think your praise can make a man and your blame can destroy a man? Reptile, I know You guys. You played a bit of a dangerous game and I think you lost."

"Attention, sir," I said, stepping back to the door and opening it. "You can say whatever you want, but you are not allowed to touch me." "Forbid me?" He walked forward slowly in a threatening manner, but after a few steps he stopped again, with his big hands in the pockets of his boyish jacket . "I've thrown several of you out of this house. You'll be the fourth or fifth. Cost three pounds fifteen shillings each. Expensive, but necessary. Now, sir, why you Shouldn't it be like them? I'd say it sure should be," he resumed his unpleasant advance.

I gradually became angry.Originally I was wrong, but this man's threats put me on the right track. "Put your hands down, sir, I won't allow it." "You won't allow this, huh?" "Don't be such a fool, Professor!" I cried. "What do you get. I'm two hundred and twenty-four pounds, solidly built, and I play rugby for the Irish in London every Saturday. I'm not one of those—" Just then, he rushed towards me.Fortunately I had left the door open.We rolled together and rolled down the aisle together.My mouth is full of his beard. Austin had unlocked the hall door and we both rolled down the steps.

Challenger stood up first. "Have you learned enough?" he gasped. "You rotten, stupid cow!" I yelled, standing up. He was about to charge at me again, but at that moment a policeman arrived with a notepad in his hand. "What's going on? You should be ashamed," the officer said. "Well, then. What's the matter?" he said, turning around. "This guy hit me first," I said. "Did you hit him first?" asked the policeman. The professor gasped for breath and said nothing. "It's not the first time either," said the policeman, shaking his head gravely. "You got into the same mess last month. You beat the young man's eye out." "I blame myself," I said hastily. The policeman closed his notepad. "Don't let this happen to us again," he said. "Hey, go away, all right, go away!" he said to several women who gathered around.The professor looked at me, and there was something humorous in his eyes. "Come in!" he said. "My business with you is not over yet!" I followed him into the house, and the bronze Austin closed the door behind us.