Затерянный мир
Question!
ProfessorChallengerrepliedthathereservedsuchinformationforgoodreasonsofhisown,butwouldbepreparedtogiveitwithproperprecautionstoacommitteechosenfromtheaudience.WouldMr.Summerleeserveonsuchacommitteeandtesthisstoryinperson?
Mr.Summerlee:"Yes,Iwill."(Greatcheering.)
ProfessorChallenger:"ThenIguaranteethatIwillplaceinyourhandssuchmaterialaswillenableyoutofindyourway.Itisonlyright,however,sinceMr.SummerleegoestocheckmystatementthatIshouldhaveoneormorewithhimwhomaycheckhis.Iwillnotdisguisefromyouthattherearedifficultiesanddangers.Mr.Summerleewillneedayoungercolleague.MayIaskforvolunteers?"
Itisthusthatthegreatcrisisofaman’slifespringsoutathim.CouldIhaveimaginedwhenIenteredthathallthatIwasabouttopledgemyselftoawilderadventurethanhadevercometomeinmydreams?ButGladys—wasitnottheveryopportunityofwhichshespoke?Gladyswouldhavetoldmetogo.Ihadsprungtomyfeet.Iwasspeaking,andyetIhadpreparednowords.TarpHenry,mycompanion,waspluckingatmyskirtsandIheardhimwhispering,"Sitdown,Malone!Don’tmakeapublicassofyourself."AtthesametimeIwasawarethatatall,thinman,withdarkgingeryhair,afewseatsinfrontofme,wasalsouponhisfeet.Heglaredbackatmewithhardangryeyes,butIrefusedtogiveway.
"Iwillgo,Mr.Chairman,"Ikeptrepeatingoverandoveragain.
"Name!Name!"criedtheaudience.
"MynameisEdwardDunnMalone.IamthereporteroftheDailyGazette.Iclaimtobeanabsolutelyunprejudicedwitness."
