The Poison Belt (Professor Challenger 2)

"A pressman!" he growled. Then with a deprecating smile: "After all, itis natural that the whole world should hasten to know what I think ofsuch an episode."

"That can hardly be his errand," said Summerlee, "for he was on the roadin his cab before ever the crisis came."

I looked at the card: "James Baxter, London Correspondent, New YorkMonitor."

"You'll see him?" said I.

"Not I."

"Oh, George! You should be kinder and more considerate to others.Surely you have learned something from what we have undergone."

He tut-tutted and shook his big, obstinate head.

"A poisonous breed! Eh, Malone? The worst weed in modern civilization,the ready tool of the quack and the hindrance of the self-respecting man!When did they ever say a good word for me?"

"When did you ever say a good word to them?" I answered. "Come, sir,this is a stranger who has made a journey to see you. I am sure that youwon't be rude to him."

"Well, well," he grumbled, "you come with me and do the talking. Iprotest in advance against any such outrageous invasion of my privatelife." Muttering and mumbling, he came rolling after me like an angryand rather ill-conditioned mastiff.

The dapper young American pulled out his notebook and plunged instantlyinto his subject.

"I came down, sir," said he, "because our people in America would verymuch like to hear more about this danger which is, in your opinion,pressing upon the world."

"I know of no danger which is now pressing upon the world," Challengeranswered gruffly.

The pressman looked at him in mild surprise.

"I meant, sir, the chances that the world might run into a belt ofpoisonous ether."

"I do not now apprehend any such danger," said Challenger.

The pressman looked even more perplexed.

"You are Professor Challenger, are you not?" he asked.

"Yes, sir; that is my name."

"I cannot understand, then, how you can say that there is no such danger.I am alluding to your own letter, published above your name in the LondonTimes of this morning."

It was Challenger's turn to look surprised.

"This morning?" said he. "No London Times was published this morning."

"Surely, sir," said the American in mild remonstrance, "you must admitthat the London Times is a daily paper." He drew out a copy from hisinside pocket. "Here is the letter to which I refer."

Challenger chuckled and rubbed his hands.

"I begin to understand," said he. "So you read this letter this morning?"

"Yes, sir."

"And came at once to interview me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Did you observe anything unusual upon the journey down?"

"Well, to tell the truth, your people seemed more lively and generallyhuman than I have ever seen them. The baggage man set out to tell me afunny story, and that's a new experience for me in this country."