The lady shook her head ruefully, and the Professor laughed
loudly and stroked his beard in his masterful fashion.

"Austin," he cried, "when you have put up the car you will
kindly help your mistress to lay the lunch. Now, gentlemen, will
you please step into my study, for there are one or two very
urgent things which I am anxious to say to you."



Chapter II

THE TIDE OF DEATH


As we crossed the hall the telephone-bell rang, and we were the
involuntary auditors of Professor Challenger's end of the
ensuing dialogue. I say "we," but no one within a hundred yards
could have failed to hear the booming of that monstrous voice,
which reverberated through the house. His answers lingered
in my mind.

"Yes, yes, of course, it is I.... Yes, certainly, _the_ Professor
Challenger, the famous Professor, who else?... Of course, every
word of it, otherwise I should not have written it.... I
shouldn't be surprised.... There is every indication of it....
Within a day or so at the furthest.... Well, I can't help that,
can I?... Very unpleasant, no doubt, but I rather fancy it will
affect more important people than you. There is no use whining
about it.... No, I couldn't possibly. You must take your