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.

As we crossed the hall, the telephone rang. We could not help overhearing Professor Challenger's side of the conversation that followed. I say "we," but anyone within a hundred yards would have heard his monstrous voice booming through the house. His answers stayed 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 chance.... That's enough, sir. Nonsense! I have something more important to do than to listen to such twaddle."

"Yes, yes, of course, it's me.... Yes, certainly, the Professor Challenger, the famous Professor. Who else?... Of course, every word of it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have written it.... I wouldn't be surprised.... All the signs point to it.... Within a day or so at the latest.... Well, I can't help that, can I?... Very unpleasant, no doubt, but I expect it will affect more important people than you. There's no use whining about it.... No, I couldn't possibly. You'll have to take your chance.... That's enough, sir. Nonsense! I have something more important to do than listen to such rubbish."

He shut off with a crash and led us upstairs into a large airy apartment which formed his study. On the great mahogany desk seven or eight unopened telegrams were lying.

He shut it off with a crash and led us upstairs to his study, a large, airy room. Seven or eight unopened telegrams lay on the great mahogany desk.

"Really," he said as he gathered them up, "I begin to think that it would save my correspondents' money if I were to adopt a telegraphic address. Possibly 'Noah, Rotherfield,' would be the most appropriate."

"Really," he said as he gathered them up, "I'm beginning to think a telegraphic address would save my correspondents money. Perhaps 'Noah, Rotherfield,' would be the most suitable."

As usual when he made an obscure joke, he leaned against the desk and bellowed in a paroxysm of laughter, his hands shaking so that he could hardly open the envelopes.

As usual when he made a joke that was hard to understand, he leaned against the desk and roared with laughter. His hands shook so much that he could hardly open the envelopes.

"Noah! Noah!" he gasped, with a face of beetroot, while Lord John and I smiled in sympathy and Summerlee, like a dyspeptic goat, wagged his head in sardonic disagreement. Finally Challenger, still rumbling and exploding, began to open his telegrams. The three of us stood in the bow window and occupied ourselves in admiring the magnificent view.

"Noah! Noah!" he gasped, his face beet red. Lord John and I smiled sympathetically, while Summerlee shook his head in mocking disagreement, like a goat with indigestion. Finally, Challenger began opening his telegrams, still rumbling and exploding. The three of us stood in the bay window, admiring the magnificent view.

It was certainly worth looking at. The road in its gentle curves had really brought us to a considerable elevation—seven hundred feet, as we afterwards discovered. Challenger's house was on the very edge of the hill, and from its southern face, in which was the study window, one looked across the vast stretch of the weald to where the gentle curves of the South Downs formed an undulating horizon. In a cleft of the hills a haze of smoke marked the position of Lewes. Immediately at our feet there lay a rolling plain of heather, with the long, vivid green stretches of the Crowborough golf course, all dotted with the players. A little to the south, through an opening in the woods, we could see a section of the main line from London to Brighton. In the immediate foreground, under our very noses, was a small enclosed yard, in which stood the car which had brought us from the station.

It was certainly worth looking at. The gently curving road had brought us quite high up. We later learned that we were seven hundred feet above sea level. Challenger's house stood on the very edge of the hill. From its south side, where the study window was, we could see across the vast Weald. Beyond it, the gentle curves of the South Downs formed a rolling horizon. In a gap between the hills, a haze of smoke marked the location of Lewes. Directly below us lay a rolling plain of heather. The long, vivid green stretches of the Crowborough golf course ran across it, dotted with players. A little farther south, through an opening in the woods, we could see part of the main railway line from London to Brighton. Right below us was a small enclosed yard. The car that had brought us from the station stood there.

An ejaculation from Challenger caused us to turn. He had read his telegrams and had arranged them in a little methodical pile upon his desk. His broad, rugged face, or as much of it as was visible over the matted beard, was still deeply flushed, and he seemed to be under the influence of some strong excitement.

An exclamation from Challenger made us turn. He had read his telegrams and arranged them in a neat pile on his desk. His broad, rugged face was still deeply flushed, at least what we could see above his tangled beard. He seemed intensely excited.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, in a voice as if he was addressing a public meeting, "this is indeed an interesting reunion, and it takes place under extraordinary—I may say unprecedented—circumstances. May I ask if you have observed anything upon your journey from town?"

"Well, gentlemen," he said, sounding as if he were addressing a public meeting, "this is certainly an interesting reunion. It takes place under extraordinary circumstances. I might even say they are unprecedented. Did you notice anything on your journey from town?"

"The only thing which I observed," said Summerlee with a sour smile, "was that our young friend here has not improved in his manners during the years that have passed. I am sorry to state that I have had to seriously complain of his conduct in the train, and I should be wanting in frankness if I did not say that it has left a most unpleasant impression in my mind."

"The only thing I noticed," said Summerlee with a sour smile, "was that our young friend here has not improved his manners over the years. I am sorry to say that I had to complain seriously about his behavior on the train. I would not be frank if I did not say that his behavior left a most unpleasant impression on me."

"Well, well, we all get a bit prosy sometimes," said Lord John. "The young fellah meant no real harm. After all, he's an International, so if he takes half an hour to describe a game of football he has more right to do it than most folk."

"Well, well, we all get a bit long-winded sometimes," said Lord John. "The young fellow meant no real harm. After all, he plays football for his country. So if he takes half an hour to describe a game, he has more right to do it than most people."

"Half an hour to describe a game!" I cried indignantly. "Why, it was you that took half an hour with some long-winded story about a buffalo. Professor Summerlee will be my witness."

"Half an hour to describe a game!" I cried indignantly. "You were the one who took half an hour telling some long-winded story about a buffalo. Professor Summerlee can back me up."

"I can hardly judge which of you was the most utterly wearisome," said Summerlee. "I declare to you, Challenger, that I never wish to hear of football or of buffaloes so long as I live."

"I can hardly decide which of you was more tiresome," said Summerlee. "I tell you, Challenger, I never want to hear about football or buffaloes again as long as I live."

"I have never said one word to-day about football," I protested.

“I haven’t said one word about football today,” I protested.

Lord John gave a shrill whistle, and Summerlee shook his head sadly.

Lord John whistled sharply, and Summerlee shook his head sadly.

"So early in the day too," said he. "It is indeed deplorable. As I sat there in sad but thoughtful silence——"

"And so early in the day, too," he said. "It is truly terrible. As I sat there in sad but thoughtful silence..."

"In silence!" cried Lord John. "Why, you were doin' a music-hall turn of imitations all the way—more like a runaway gramophone than a man."

"In silence!" cried Lord John. "Why, you were doing a whole comedy act of impressions all the way. You sounded more like a runaway record player than a man."

Summerlee drew himself up in bitter protest.

Summerlee straightened up in bitter protest.

"You are pleased to be facetious, Lord John," said he with a face of vinegar.

"You're being funny, Lord John," he said with a sour expression.

"Why, dash it all, this is clear madness," cried Lord John. "Each of us seems to know what the others did and none of us knows what he did himself. Let's put it all together from the first. We got into a first-class smoker, that's clear, ain't it? Then we began to quarrel over friend Challenger's letter in the Times."

"This is completely crazy," cried Lord John. "Each of us seems to know what the others did, but none of us knows what he did himself. Let's piece it all together from the beginning. We got into a first-class smoking compartment, that's clear, isn't it? Then we started arguing about our friend Challenger's letter in the Times."

"Oh, you did, did you?" rumbled our host, his eyelids beginning to droop.

"Oh, you did, did you?" our host rumbled, his eyelids beginning to droop.

"You said, Summerlee, that there was no possible truth in his contention."

"You said, Summerlee, that his claim could not possibly be true."

"Dear me!" said Challenger, puffing out his chest and stroking his beard. "No possible truth! I seem to have heard the words before. And may I ask with what arguments the great and famous Professor Summerlee proceeded to demolish the humble individual who had ventured to express an opinion upon a matter of scientific possibility? Perhaps before he exterminates that unfortunate nonentity he will condescend to give some reasons for the adverse views which he has formed."

"Goodness!" said Challenger, puffing out his chest and stroking his beard. "No possible truth! I seem to have heard those words before. And may I ask what arguments the great and famous Professor Summerlee used to demolish that humble person? He dared to express an opinion about what was scientifically possible. Perhaps, before the professor wipes out that unfortunate nobody, he will bother to give some reasons for disagreeing."

He bowed and shrugged and spread open his hands as he spoke with his elaborate and elephantine sarcasm.

He bowed, shrugged, and spread his hands as he spoke, with elaborate, clumsy sarcasm.

"The reason was simple enough," said the dogged Summerlee. "I contended that if the ether surrounding the earth was so toxic in one quarter that it produced dangerous symptoms, it was hardly likely that we three in the railway carriage should be entirely unaffected."

"The reason was simple enough," said the stubborn Summerlee. "I argued that if the ether surrounding the earth was toxic enough in one place to cause dangerous symptoms, it was hardly likely that the three of us in the railway carriage would be completely unaffected."

The explanation only brought uproarious merriment from Challenger. He laughed until everything in the room seemed to rattle and quiver.

The explanation only made Challenger laugh uproariously. He laughed until everything in the room seemed to shake and rattle.

"Our worthy Summerlee is, not for the first time, somewhat out of touch with the facts of the situation," said he at last, mopping his heated brow. "Now, gentlemen, I cannot make my point better than by detailing to you what I have myself done this morning. You will the more easily condone any mental aberration upon your own part when you realize that even I have had moments when my balance has been disturbed. We have had for some years in this household a housekeeper—one Sarah, with whose second name I have never attempted to burden my memory. She is a woman of a severe and forbidding aspect, prim and demure in her bearing, very impassive in her nature, and never known within our experience to show signs of any emotion. As I sat alone at my breakfast—Mrs. Challenger is in the habit of keeping her room of a morning—it suddenly entered my head that it would be entertaining and instructive to see whether I could find any limits to this woman's inperturbability. I devised a simple but effective experiment. Having upset a small vase of flowers which stood in the centre of the cloth, I rang the bell and slipped under the table. She entered and, seeing the room empty, imagined that I had withdrawn to the study. As I had expected, she approached and leaned over the table to replace the vase. I had a vision of a cotton stocking and an elastic-sided boot. Protruding my head, I sank my teeth into the calf of her leg. The experiment was successful beyond belief. For some moments she stood paralyzed, staring down at my head. Then with a shriek she tore herself free and rushed from the room. I pursued her with some thoughts of an explanation, but she flew down the drive, and some minutes afterwards I was able to pick her out with my field-glasses travelling very rapidly in a south-westerly direction. I tell you the anecdote for what it is worth. I drop it into your brains and await its germination. Is it illuminative? Has it conveyed anything to your minds? What do you think of it, Lord John?"

"Our worthy Summerlee is, not for the first time, somewhat out of touch with the facts," he said at last, wiping his hot forehead. "Now, gentlemen, I can best explain my point by telling you what I did myself this morning. You will more easily forgive any lapse in your own judgment when you realize that even I have had moments of imbalance. "For some years, we have had a housekeeper named Sarah. I have never tried to burden my memory with her last name. She looks stern and forbidding and carries herself with prim modesty. She is very impassive, and we have never known her to show any emotion. I was sitting alone at breakfast. Mrs. Challenger usually stays in her room in the morning. It suddenly occurred to me that testing the limits of this woman's composure would be entertaining and instructive. "I devised a simple but effective experiment. I knocked over a small vase of flowers in the center of the tablecloth. Then I rang the bell and slipped under the table. Sarah entered and, seeing the room empty, assumed I had gone to the study. As I had expected, she came over and leaned across the table to right the vase. I caught sight of a cotton stocking and a boot with elastic sides. I stuck out my head and sank my teeth into her calf. "The experiment succeeded beyond belief. For a few moments she stood frozen, staring down at my head. Then, with a shriek, she tore herself free and rushed from the room. I chased after her, thinking I might explain, but she flew down the drive. Some minutes later, I spotted her through my binoculars, moving very rapidly in a southwesterly direction. "I tell you the story for what it is worth. I drop it into your brains and wait for it to take root. Does it shed any light on the matter? Has it suggested anything to you? What do you think of it, Lord John?"

Lord John shook his head gravely.

Lord John shook his head seriously.

"You'll be gettin' into serious trouble some of these days if you don't put a brake on," said he.

"You'll be getting into serious trouble one of these days if you don't slow down," he said.

"Perhaps you have some observation to make, Summerlee?"

"Perhaps you have something to say, Summerlee?"

"You should drop all work instantly, Challenger, and take three months in a German watering-place," said he.

"You should stop all work immediately, Challenger, and spend three months at a German spa," he said.

"Profound! Profound!" cried Challenger. "Now, my young friend, is it possible that wisdom may come from you where your seniors have so signally failed?"

"Profound! Profound!" cried Challenger. "Now, my young friend, could you offer wisdom where your elders have failed so badly?"

And it did. I say it with all modesty, but it did. Of course, it all seems obvious enough to you who know what occurred, but it was not so very clear when everything was new. But it came on me suddenly with the full force of absolute conviction.

And it did. I say this modestly, but it did. Of course, it all seems obvious to you now that you know what happened. But it wasn't so clear when everything was new. Then it came to me suddenly, with the full force of absolute certainty.

"Poison!" I cried.

"Poison!" I shouted.

Then, even as I said the word, my mind flashed back over the whole morning's experiences, past Lord John with his buffalo, past my own hysterical tears, past the outrageous conduct of Professor Summerlee, to the queer happenings in London, the row in the park, the driving of the chauffeur, the quarrel at the oxygen warehouse. Everything fitted suddenly into its place.

Then, even as I said the word, the whole morning flashed through my mind. I remembered Lord John with his buffalo, my own hysterical tears, and Professor Summerlee’s outrageous behavior. Then I thought of the strange events in London: the fight in the park, the chauffeur’s driving, and the quarrel at the oxygen warehouse. Everything suddenly fell into place.

"Of course," I cried again. "It is poison. We are all poisoned."

"Of course," I cried again. "It's poison. We're all poisoned."

"Exactly," said Challenger, rubbing his hands, "we are all poisoned. Our planet has swum into the poison belt of ether, and is now flying deeper into it at the rate of some millions of miles a minute. Our young friend has expressed the cause of all our troubles and perplexities in a single word, 'poison.'"

"Exactly," said Challenger, rubbing his hands. "We are all poisoned. Our planet has entered the poison belt of ether. It is now flying deeper into the belt at some millions of miles a minute. Our young friend has summed up the cause of all our troubles and confusion in one word, 'poison.'"

We looked at each other in amazed silence. No comment seemed to meet the situation.

We looked at each other in stunned silence. Nothing we could say seemed equal to the situation.

"There is a mental inhibition by which such symptoms can be checked and controlled," said Challenger. "I cannot expect to find it developed in all of you to the same point which it has reached in me, for I suppose that the strength of our different mental processes bears some proportion to each other. But no doubt it is appreciable even in our young friend here. After the little outburst of high spirits which so alarmed my domestic I sat down and reasoned with myself. I put it to myself that I had never before felt impelled to bite any of my household. The impulse had then been an abnormal one. In an instant I perceived the truth. My pulse upon examination was ten beats above the usual, and my reflexes were increased. I called upon my higher and saner self, the real G. E. C., seated serene and impregnable behind all mere molecular disturbance. I summoned him, I say, to watch the foolish mental tricks which the poison would play. I found that I was indeed the master. I could recognize and control a disordered mind. It was a remarkable exhibition of the victory of mind over matter, for it was a victory over that particular form of matter which is most intimately connected with mind. I might almost say that mind was at fault and that personality controlled it. Thus, when my wife came downstairs and I was impelled to slip behind the door and alarm her by some wild cry as she entered, I was able to stifle the impulse and to greet her with dignity and restraint. An overpowering desire to quack like a duck was met and mastered in the same fashion.

"There is a kind of mental self-control that can check and control such symptoms," said Challenger. "I cannot expect all of you to have developed it as fully as I have. I suppose the strength of our different mental processes is roughly proportional. But no doubt even our young friend here has some of it. "After the little burst of high spirits that so alarmed my servant, I sat down and reasoned with myself. I reminded myself that I had never before felt compelled to bite anyone in my household. The impulse, then, had been abnormal. I saw the truth at once. When I checked, my pulse was ten beats above its usual rate, and my reflexes were heightened. I called on my higher, saner self, the real G. E. C. He sat calm and secure behind all mere molecular disturbance. I summoned him, I say, to watch the foolish mental tricks the poison would play. "I found that I was indeed the master. I could recognize and control a disordered mind. It was a remarkable display of mind triumphing over matter. For it was a victory over the very form of matter most closely connected with the mind. I might almost say that the mind was at fault and personality controlled it. "So, when my wife came downstairs, I felt an impulse to slip behind the door. I wanted to frighten her with a wild cry as she entered. But I was able to suppress the impulse and greet her with dignity and restraint. In the same way, I faced and overcame an overpowering desire to quack like a duck.

"Later, when I descended to order the car and found Austin bending over it absorbed in repairs, I controlled my open hand even after I had lifted it and refrained from giving him an experience which would possibly have caused him to follow in the steps of the housekeeper. On the contrary, I touched him on the shoulder and ordered the car to be at the door in time to meet your train. At the present instant I am most forcibly tempted to take Professor Summerlee by that silly old beard of his and to shake his head violently backwards and forwards. And yet, as you see, I am perfectly restrained. Let me commend my example to you."

"Later, I went downstairs to order the car and found Austin bent over it, absorbed in repairs. I raised my open hand but managed to control myself. I refrained from giving him an experience that might have caused him to follow the housekeeper's example. Instead, I touched him on the shoulder and ordered him to have the car at the door in time to meet your train. Right now, I am strongly tempted to grab Professor Summerlee by that silly old beard of his and shake his head violently back and forth. Yet, as you can see, I am perfectly restrained. Let me recommend my example to you."

"I'll look out for that buffalo," said Lord John.

"I'll look out for that buffalo," said Lord John.

"And I for the football match."

"And I was going to the football match."

"It may be that you are right, Challenger," said Summerlee in a chastened voice. "I am willing to admit that my turn of mind is critical rather than constructive and that I am not a ready convert to any new theory, especially when it happens to be so unusual and fantastic as this one. However, as I cast my mind back over the events of the morning, and as I reconsider the fatuous conduct of my companions, I find it easy to believe that some poison of an exciting kind was responsible for their symptoms."

"You may be right, Challenger," said Summerlee in a humbled voice. "I admit that I tend to criticize rather than offer ideas of my own. I am not quick to accept a new theory, especially one as unusual and fantastic as this one. However, when I think back over the morning's events and my companions' foolish behavior, I find it easy to believe that some kind of stimulant poison caused their symptoms."

Challenger slapped his colleague good-humouredly upon the shoulder. "We progress," said he. "Decidedly we progress."

Challenger gave his colleague a friendly slap on the shoulder. "We're making progress," he said. "Definitely making progress."

"And pray, sir," asked Summerlee humbly, "what is your opinion as to the present outlook?"

"And sir," Summerlee asked humbly, "what do you think of the situation now?"

"With your permission I will say a few words upon that subject." He seated himself upon his desk, his short, stumpy legs swinging in front of him. "We are assisting at a tremendous and awful function. It is, in my opinion, the end of the world."

"With your permission, I’ll say a few words about that." He sat on his desk, his short, stumpy legs swinging in front of him. "We are witnessing a tremendous and terrible event. In my opinion, it is the end of the world."

The end of the world! Our eyes turned to the great bow-window and we looked out at the summer beauty of the country-side, the long slopes of heather, the great country-houses, the cozy farms, the pleasure-seekers upon the links.

The end of the world! We turned to the large bay window and looked out at the summer beauty of the countryside. There were long slopes covered in heather, grand country houses, cozy farms, and people enjoying themselves on the golf course.

The end of the world! One had often heard the words, but the idea that they could ever have an immediate practical significance, that it should not be at some vague date, but now, to-day, that was a tremendous, a staggering thought. We were all struck solemn and waited in silence for Challenger to continue. His overpowering presence and appearance lent such force to the solemnity of his words that for a moment all the crudities and absurdities of the man vanished, and he loomed before us as something majestic and beyond the range of ordinary humanity. Then to me, at least, there came back the cheering recollection of how twice since we had entered the room he had roared with laughter. Surely, I thought, there are limits to mental detachment. The crisis cannot be so great or so pressing after all.

The end of the world! We had all heard those words before. But the thought that they could have an immediate, practical meaning was staggering. The end would not come at some vague future date, but now, today. We were all solemn and waited in silence for Challenger to continue. His imposing presence and appearance gave such force to his grave words that, for a moment, all his roughness and absurdity vanished. He loomed before us as someone majestic and beyond ordinary humanity. Then, at least for me, a comforting memory returned. Since we had entered the room, he had roared with laughter twice. Surely, I thought, there are limits to how detached a person can be. The crisis cannot be so great or so urgent after all.

"You will conceive a bunch of grapes," said he, "which are covered by some infinitesimal but noxious bacillus. The gardener passes it through a disinfecting medium. It may be that he desires his grapes to be cleaner. It may be that he needs space to breed some fresh bacillus less noxious than the last. He dips it into the poison and they are gone. Our Gardener is, in my opinion, about to dip the solar system, and the human bacillus, the little mortal vibrio which twisted and wriggled upon the outer rind of the earth, will in an instant be sterilized out of existence."

"Imagine a bunch of grapes," he said, "covered with some tiny but harmful bacteria. The gardener passes the bunch through a disinfectant. Perhaps he wants his grapes to be cleaner. Perhaps he needs space to breed some new bacteria less harmful than the last. He dips the bunch in the poison, and the bacteria are gone. In my opinion, our Gardener is about to dip the solar system. And the human bacteria, the tiny mortal organisms that twisted and wriggled on the earth's outer skin, will be sterilized out of existence in an instant."

Again there was silence. It was broken by the high trill of the telephone-bell.

Again there was silence. Then the telephone bell rang with a high trill.

"There is one of our bacilli squeaking for help," said he with a grim smile. "They are beginning to realize that their continued existence is not really one of the necessities of the universe."

"There's one of our bacilli squeaking for help," he said with a grim smile. "They're beginning to realize that the universe doesn't really need them to go on existing."

He was gone from the room for a minute or two. I remember that none of us spoke in his absence. The situation seemed beyond all words or comments.

He left the room for a minute or two. I remember that none of us spoke while he was gone. The situation seemed beyond words or comment.

"The medical officer of health for Brighton," said he when he returned. "The symptoms are for some reason developing more rapidly upon the sea level. Our seven hundred feet of elevation give us an advantage. Folk seem to have learned that I am the first authority upon the question. No doubt it comes from my letter in the Times. That was the mayor of a provincial town with whom I talked when we first arrived. You may have heard me upon the telephone. He seemed to put an entirely inflated value upon his own life. I helped him to readjust his ideas."

"The medical officer of health for Brighton," he said when he returned. "For some reason, the symptoms are developing faster at sea level. Our elevation of seven hundred feet gives us an advantage. People seem to have learned that I am the leading authority on the matter. No doubt they learned it from my letter in the Times. When we first arrived, I spoke with the mayor of a provincial town. You may have heard me on the telephone. He seemed to place an entirely inflated value on his own life. I helped him adjust his views."

Summerlee had risen and was standing by the window. His thin, bony hands were trembling with his emotion.

Summerlee had stood up and was standing by the window. His thin, bony hands trembled with emotion.

"Challenger," said he earnestly, "this thing is too serious for mere futile argument. Do not suppose that I desire to irritate you by any question I may ask. But I put it to you whether there may not be some fallacy in your information or in your reasoning. There is the sun shining as brightly as ever in the blue sky. There are the heather and the flowers and the birds. There are the folk enjoying themselves upon the golf-links and the laborers yonder cutting the corn. You tell us that they and we may be upon the very brink of destruction—that this sunlit day may be that day of doom which the human race has so long awaited. So far as we know, you found this tremendous judgment upon what? Upon some abnormal lines in a spectrum—upon rumours from Sumatra—upon some curious personal excitement which we have discerned in each other. This latter symptom is not so marked but that you and we could, by a deliberate effort, control it. You need not stand on ceremony with us, Challenger. We have all faced death together before now. Speak out, and let us know exactly where we stand, and what, in your opinion, are our prospects for our future."

"Challenger," he said earnestly, "this is too serious for pointless arguments. Please don't think I want to irritate you with my questions. But I have to ask whether there might be a flaw in your information or your reasoning. The sun is shining as brightly as ever in the blue sky. The heather, flowers, and birds are all there. People are enjoying themselves on the golf course, and the laborers over there are cutting the corn. "You tell us that they and we may be on the very edge of destruction. You say this sunny day may be the day of doom that the human race has awaited for so long. As far as we know, what do you base this tremendous judgment on? Some unusual lines in a spectrum, rumors from Sumatra, and a strange excitement that we have noticed in one another. But the excitement is not so strong that you and we could not control it with a deliberate effort. You don't need to be polite with us, Challenger. We have all faced death together before. Speak openly and tell us exactly where we stand and what you think our chances are for the future."

It was a brave, good speech, a speech from that stanch and strong spirit which lay behind all the acidities and angularities of the old zoologist. Lord John rose and shook him by the hand.

It was a brave, good speech. It came from the steadfast, strong spirit behind all the old zoologist’s sharpness and rough edges. Lord John stood up and shook his hand.

"My sentiment to a tick," said he. "Now, Challenger, it's up to you to tell us where we are. We ain't nervous folk, as you know well; but when it comes to makin' a week-end visit and finding you've run full butt into the Day of Judgment, it wants a bit of explainin'. What's the danger, and how much of it is there, and what are we goin' to do to meet it?"

"Exactly how I feel," he said. "Now, Challenger, it's up to you to tell us where we stand. We ain't nervous folk, as you know well. But coming for a weekend visit and finding you've run straight into the Day of Judgment needs some explaining. What's the danger, how much danger is there, and what are we going to do to meet it?"

He stood, tall and strong, in the sunshine at the window, with his brown hand upon the shoulder of Summerlee. I was lying back in an armchair, an extinguished cigarette between my lips, in that sort of half-dazed state in which impressions become exceedingly distinct. It may have been a new phase of the poisoning, but the delirious promptings had all passed away and were succeeded by an exceedingly languid and, at the same time, perceptive state of mind. I was a spectator. It did not seem to be any personal concern of mine. But here were three strong men at a great crisis, and it was fascinating to observe them. Challenger bent his heavy brows and stroked his beard before he answered. One could see that he was very carefully weighing his words.

He stood tall and strong in the sunshine at the window, his brown hand on Summerlee’s shoulder. I lay back in an armchair, an unlit cigarette between my lips. I was half dazed, in a state where impressions become unusually vivid. It may have been a new phase of the poisoning. But the delirious impulses had all passed, leaving me extremely sluggish yet sharply aware. I was a spectator. It did not seem to concern me personally. But here were three strong men at a moment of great crisis, and watching them was fascinating. Challenger frowned and stroked his beard before answering. One could see that he was weighing his words very carefully.

"What was the last news when you left London?" he asked.

"What was the latest news when you left London?" he asked.

"I was at the Gazette office about ten," said I. "There was a Reuter just come in from Singapore to the effect that the sickness seemed to be universal in Sumatra and that the lighthouses had not been lit in consequence."

"I was at the Gazette office around ten," I said. "A Reuters report had just come in from Singapore. It said the sickness seemed to be everywhere in Sumatra, and as a result the lighthouses had not been lit."

"Events have been moving somewhat rapidly since then," said Challenger, picking up his pile of telegrams. "I am in close touch both with the authorities and with the press, so that news is converging upon me from all parts. There is, in fact, a general and very insistent demand that I should come to London; but I see no good end to be served. From the accounts the poisonous effect begins with mental excitement; the rioting in Paris this morning is said to have been very violent, and the Welsh colliers are in a state of uproar. So far as the evidence to hand can be trusted, this stimulative stage, which varies much in races and in individuals, is succeeded by a certain exaltation and mental lucidity—I seem to discern some signs of it in our young friend here—which, after an appreciable interval, turns to coma, deepening rapidly into death. I fancy, so far as my toxicology carries me, that there are some vegetable nerve poisons——"

"Events have been moving rather quickly since then," said Challenger, picking up his pile of telegrams. "I am in close touch with both the authorities and the press, so news is reaching me from everywhere. In fact, there is a widespread and very insistent demand that I come to London. But I see no good purpose in going. According to the reports, the poison begins by causing mental excitement. The rioting in Paris this morning is said to have been very violent, and the Welsh coal miners are in an uproar. If the evidence we have can be trusted, this stage of excitement is followed by a sense of elation and mental clarity. The stage of excitement varies greatly among races and individuals. I seem to see some signs of the mental clarity in our young friend here. After a noticeable interval, the elation and clarity give way to a coma, which rapidly deepens into death. As far as my knowledge of poisons goes, I believe there are some plant nerve poisons..."

"Datura," suggested Summerlee.

"Datura," suggested Summerlee.

"Excellent!" cried Challenger. "It would make for scientific precision if we named our toxic agent. Let it be daturon. To you, my dear Summerlee, belongs the honour—posthumous, alas, but none the less unique—of having given a name to the universal destroyer, the Great Gardener's disinfectant. The symptoms of daturon, then, may be taken to be such as I indicate. That it will involve the whole world and that no life can possibly remain behind seems to me to be certain, since ether is a universal medium. Up to now it has been capricious in the places which it has attacked, but the difference is only a matter of a few hours, and it is like an advancing tide which covers one strip of sand and then another, running hither and thither in irregular streams, until at last it has submerged it all. There are laws at work in connection with the action and distribution of daturon which would have been of deep interest had the time at our disposal permitted us to study them. So far as I can trace them"—here he glanced over his telegrams—"the less developed races have been the first to respond to its influence. There are deplorable accounts from Africa, and the Australian aborigines appear to have been already exterminated. The Northern races have as yet shown greater resisting power than the Southern. This, you see, is dated from Marseilles at nine-forty-five this morning. I give it to you verbatim:—

"Excellent!" cried Challenger. "It would be more scientifically precise to name our toxic agent. Let us call it daturon. The honor belongs to you, my dear Summerlee. It is a posthumous honor, alas, but no less unique. You have named the universal destroyer, the Great Gardener's disinfectant. The symptoms of daturon, then, may be taken to be as I have described them. "I am certain that daturon will spread across the whole world and that no life can possibly survive. This is because ether is a universal medium. So far, it has struck places unpredictably, but the difference is only a matter of a few hours. It is like a rising tide that covers one strip of sand and then another. It flows here and there in irregular streams until it has submerged everything. Laws govern the action and distribution of daturon. They would have been of deep interest if we had had time to study them. "So far as I can trace them," he said, glancing over his telegrams, "the less developed races have been the first to respond to its influence. There are dreadful reports from Africa, and the Australian aborigines appear to have already been exterminated. The Northern races have so far shown greater resistance than the Southern. This telegram, you see, is dated from Marseilles at nine-forty-five this morning. I will read it to you word for word:"

"'All night delirious excitement throughout Provence. Tumult of vine growers at Nimes. Socialistic upheaval at Toulon. Sudden illness attended by coma attacked population this morning. Peste foudroyante. Great numbers of dead in the streets. Paralysis of business and universal chaos.'

"'Frenzied excitement throughout Provence all night. Unrest among vine growers at Nimes. Socialist uprising at Toulon. A sudden illness struck the population this morning, causing coma. Peste foudroyante. Great numbers of dead people in the streets. Business at a standstill and chaos everywhere.'

"An hour later came the following, from the same source:—

"An hour later, the following came from the same source:

"'We are threatened with utter extermination. Cathedrals and churches full to overflowing. The dead outnumber the living. It is inconceivable and horrible. Decease seems to be painless, but swift and inevitable.'

"'We are threatened with total extinction. Cathedrals and churches are filled to overflowing. The dead outnumber the living. It is unimaginable and horrible. Death seems painless, but it is swift and inevitable.'

"There is a similar telegram from Paris, where the development is not yet as acute. India and Persia appear to be utterly wiped out. The Slavonic population of Austria is down, while the Teutonic has hardly been affected. Speaking generally, the dwellers upon the plains and upon the seashore seem, so far as my limited information goes, to have felt the effects more rapidly than those inland or on the heights. Even a little elevation makes a considerable difference, and perhaps if there be a survivor of the human race, he will again be found upon the summit of some Ararat. Even our own little hill may presently prove to be a temporary island amid a sea of disaster. But at the present rate of advance a few short hours will submerge us all."

"There is a similar telegram from Paris, where the situation is not yet as severe. India and Persia appear to have been completely wiped out. The Slavonic population of Austria has been struck down, while the Teutonic population has hardly been affected. My information is limited. But generally, people on the plains and seashores seem to have felt the effects more quickly than those inland or on higher ground. Even a little height makes a considerable difference. Perhaps, if there is a survivor of the human race, he will once again be found on the summit of some Ararat. Even our own little hill may soon prove to be a temporary island amid a sea of disaster. But at the present rate of advance, that sea will submerge us all in a few short hours."

Lord John Roxton wiped his brow.

Lord John Roxton wiped his forehead.

"What beats me," said he, "is how you could sit there laughin' with that stack of telegrams under your hand. I've seen death as often as most folk, but universal death—it's awful!"

"What beats me," he said, "is how you could sit there laughing with that stack of telegrams under your hand. I've seen death as often as most people. But the death of everyone is awful!"

"As to the laughter," said Challenger, "you will bear in mind that, like yourselves, I have not been exempt from the stimulating cerebral effects of the etheric poison. But as to the horror with which universal death appears to inspire you, I would put it to you that it is somewhat exaggerated. If you were sent to sea alone in an open boat to some unknown destination, your heart might well sink within you. The isolation, the uncertainty, would oppress you. But if your voyage were made in a goodly ship, which bore within it all your relations and your friends, you would feel that, however uncertain your destination might still remain, you would at least have one common and simultaneous experience which would hold you to the end in the same close communion. A lonely death may be terrible, but a universal one, as painless as this would appear to be, is not, in my judgment, a matter for apprehension. Indeed, I could sympathize with the person who took the view that the horror lay in the idea of surviving when all that is learned, famous, and exalted had passed away."

“As for the laughter,” said Challenger, “remember that, like you, I have felt the etheric poison’s stimulating effects on the brain. But I suggest that your horror at the prospect of universal death is somewhat exaggerated. If you were sent alone in an open boat to an unknown destination, your heart might well sink. The isolation and uncertainty would weigh on you. But suppose you made the voyage on a fine ship carrying all your relatives and friends. Your destination might still be uncertain, but at least you would all share the same experience at the same time. That would keep you close to one another until the end. A lonely death may be terrible. But a universal death, as painless as this one appears likely to be, is not, in my judgment, something to fear. Indeed, I could sympathize with someone who thought the horror lay in surviving after all who were learned, famous, and exalted had passed away.”

"What, then, do you propose to do?" asked Summerlee, who had for once nodded his assent to the reasoning of his brother scientist.

"What do you propose we do, then?" asked Summerlee. For once, he had nodded in agreement with his fellow scientist's reasoning.

"To take our lunch," said Challenger as the boom of a gong sounded through the house. "We have a cook whose omelettes are only excelled by her cutlets. We can but trust that no cosmic disturbance has dulled her excellent abilities. My Scharzberger of '96 must also be rescued, so far as our earnest and united efforts can do it, from what would be a deplorable waste of a great vintage." He levered his great bulk off the desk, upon which he had sat while he announced the doom of the planet. "Come," said he. "If there is little time left, there is the more need that we should spend it in sober and reasonable enjoyment."

"To have lunch," said Challenger as a gong boomed through the house. "Our cook's omelettes are surpassed only by her cutlets. We can only hope that no cosmic disturbance has dulled her excellent skills. We must also do our best together to save my '96 Scharzberger. It would be a terrible waste of a great vintage." He pushed his great bulk off the desk where he had sat while announcing the planet's doom. "Come," he said. "If there is little time left, we have all the more reason to spend it in sensible, reasonable enjoyment."

And, indeed, it proved to be a very merry meal. It is true that we could not forget our awful situation. The full solemnity of the event loomed ever at the back of our minds and tempered our thoughts. But surely it is the soul which has never faced death which shies strongly from it at the end. To each of us men it had, for one great epoch in our lives, been a familiar presence. As to the lady, she leaned upon the strong guidance of her mighty husband and was well content to go whither his path might lead. The future was our fate. The present was our own. We passed it in goodly comradeship and gentle merriment. Our minds were, as I have said, singularly lucid. Even I struck sparks at times. As to Challenger, he was wonderful! Never have I so realized the elemental greatness of the man, the sweep and power of his understanding. Summerlee drew him on with his chorus of subacid criticism, while Lord John and I laughed at the contest and the lady, her hand upon his sleeve, controlled the bellowings of the philosopher. Life, death, fate, the destiny of man—these were the stupendous subjects of that memorable hour, made vital by the fact that as the meal progressed strange, sudden exaltations in my mind and tinglings in my limbs proclaimed that the invisible tide of death was slowly and gently rising around us. Once I saw Lord John put his hand suddenly to his eyes, and once Summerlee dropped back for an instant in his chair. Each breath we breathed was charged with strange forces. And yet our minds were happy and at ease. Presently Austin laid the cigarettes upon the table and was about to withdraw.

And indeed, it turned out to be a very merry meal. Of course, we could not forget our terrible situation. The full solemnity of what was happening remained in the back of our minds and tempered our thoughts. But surely those who have never faced death are the ones who shrink from it most at the end. For each of us men, death had been a familiar presence during one great period of our lives. As for the lady, she relied on the strong guidance of her mighty husband. She was content to go wherever his path might lead. The future was in the hands of fate. The present was ours. We spent it in good companionship and gentle merriment. As I have said, our minds were remarkably clear. Even I showed flashes of wit at times. As for Challenger, he was wonderful! Never had I so fully grasped the elemental greatness of the man, or the breadth and power of his understanding. Summerlee drew him out with a steady stream of mildly sour criticism. Lord John and I laughed at their contest, while the lady kept a hand on her husband's sleeve and restrained the philosopher's bellows. Life, death, fate, the destiny of man: these were the immense subjects of that memorable hour. They became all the more vivid as the meal went on. Strange, sudden feelings of exhilaration and tingling in my limbs told me that the invisible tide of death was rising slowly and gently around us. Once I saw Lord John suddenly put his hand to his eyes. Once Summerlee fell back in his chair for a moment. Every breath we took was charged with strange forces. And yet our minds were happy and at ease. Soon Austin put the cigarettes on the table and was about to leave.

"Austin!" said his master.

"Austin!" said his master.

"Yes, sir?"

"Yes, sir?"

"I thank you for your faithful service." A smile stole over the servant's gnarled face.

"Thank you for your faithful service." A smile spread across the servant's weathered face.

"I've done my duty, sir."

"I've done my duty, sir."

"I'm expecting the end of the world to-day, Austin."

"I'm expecting the end of the world today, Austin."

"Yes, sir. What time, sir?"

"Yes, sir. What time, sir?"

"I can't say, Austin. Before evening."

"I can't say, Austin. Before evening."

"Very good, sir."

"All right, sir."

The taciturn Austin saluted and withdrew. Challenger lit a cigarette, and, drawing his chair closer to his wife's, he took her hand in his.

The quiet Austin saluted and left. Challenger lit a cigarette and moved his chair closer to his wife's. He took her hand in his.

"You know how matters stand, dear," said he. "I have explained it also to our friends here. You're not afraid are you?"

"You know what’s happening, dear," he said. "I’ve explained it to our friends here too. You’re not afraid, are you?"

"It won't be painful, George?"

"It won't hurt, George?"

"No more than laughing-gas at the dentist's. Every time you have had it you have practically died."

"No more than laughing gas at the dentist. Every time you've had it, you've practically died."

"But that is a pleasant sensation."

"But that feels pleasant."

"So may death be. The worn-out bodily machine can't record its impression, but we know the mental pleasure which lies in a dream or a trance. Nature may build a beautiful door and hang it with many a gauzy and shimmering curtain to make an entrance to the new life for our wondering souls. In all my probings of the actual, I have always found wisdom and kindness at the core; and if ever the frightened mortal needs tenderness, it is surely as he makes the passage perilous from life to life. No, Summerlee, I will have none of your materialism, for I, at least, am too great a thing to end in mere physical constituents, a packet of salts and three bucketfuls of water. Here—here"—and he beat his great head with his huge, hairy fist—"there is something which uses matter, but is not of it—something which might destroy death, but which death can never destroy."

“So death may be like that. The worn-out body cannot record the experience. But we know the mental pleasure of a dream or a trance. Nature may build a beautiful door, hung with many gauzy, shimmering curtains, as an entrance to new life for our wondering souls. In all my investigations of reality, I have always found wisdom and kindness at its core. If a frightened mortal ever needs tenderness, surely it is during the perilous passage from one life to another. No, Summerlee, I will have none of your materialism. I, at least, am too great a thing to end as mere physical components, a packet of salts and three buckets of water. Here, here,” he said, beating his great head with his huge, hairy fist. “There is something that uses matter but is not made of it. It is something that might destroy death, but that death can never destroy.”

"Talkin' of death," said Lord John. "I'm a Christian of sorts, but it seems to me there was somethin' mighty natural in those ancestors of ours who were buried with their axes and bows and arrows and the like, same as if they were livin' on just the same as they used to. I don't know," he added, looking round the table in a shamefaced way, "that I wouldn't feel more homely myself if I was put away with my old .450 Express and the fowlin'-piece, the shorter one with the rubbered stock, and a clip or two of cartridges—just a fool's fancy, of course, but there it is. How does it strike you, Herr Professor?"

"Talking of death," said Lord John, "I'm a Christian of sorts, but I think there was something mighty natural about our ancestors being buried with their axes, bows, arrows, and such. It was as if they were going to live on just as they used to. I don't know," he added, looking around the table sheepishly, "but I might feel more at home if I were buried with my old .450 Express and the fowling piece, the shorter one with the rubber-covered stock, and a clip or two of cartridges. Just a fool's fancy, of course, but there it is. What do you think, Herr Professor?"

"Well," said Summerlee, "since you ask my opinion, it strikes me as an indefensible throwback to the Stone Age or before it. I'm of the twentieth century myself, and would wish to die like a reasonable civilized man. I don't know that I am more afraid of death than the rest of you, for I am an oldish man, and, come what may, I can't have very much longer to live; but it is all against my nature to sit waiting without a struggle like a sheep for the butcher. Is it quite certain, Challenger, that there is nothing we can do?"

"Well," said Summerlee, "since you ask my opinion, it seems to me like an indefensible return to the Stone Age or earlier. I belong to the twentieth century, and I want to die like a reasonable, civilized man. I don't know that I'm any more afraid of death than the rest of you. I'm getting old, and whatever happens, I can't have much longer to live. But it's against my nature to sit waiting without a struggle, like a sheep waiting for the butcher. Are you quite sure, Challenger, that there's nothing we can do?"

"To save us—nothing," said Challenger. "To prolong our lives a few hours and thus to see the evolution of this mighty tragedy before we are actually involved in it—that may prove to be within my powers. I have taken certain steps——"

"To save us, nothing," said Challenger. "But I may be able to extend our lives by a few hours. That would let us see this great tragedy unfold before we are caught up in it ourselves. I have taken certain steps..."

"The oxygen?"

"The oxygen?"

"Exactly. The oxygen."

"Exactly. The oxygen."

"But what can oxygen effect in the face of a poisoning of the ether? There is not a greater difference in quality between a brick-bat and a gas than there is between oxygen and ether. They are different planes of matter. They cannot impinge upon one another. Come, Challenger, you could not defend such a proposition."

“But what can oxygen do against a poisoning of the ether? Oxygen and ether are no more alike than a broken brick and a gas. They exist on different planes of matter. They cannot affect each other. Come, Challenger, you couldn’t defend that idea.”

"My good Summerlee, this etheric poison is most certainly influenced by material agents. We see it in the methods and distribution of the outbreak. We should not a priori have expected it, but it is undoubtedly a fact. Hence I am strongly of opinion that a gas like oxygen, which increases the vitality and the resisting power of the body, would be extremely likely to delay the action of what you have so happily named the daturon. It may be that I am mistaken, but I have every confidence in the correctness of my reasoning."

"My dear Summerlee, material substances most certainly affect this etheric poison. We can see this in how the outbreak spread and where it struck. We would not have expected this beforehand, but it is undoubtedly a fact. Oxygen increases the body's vitality and resistance. So I strongly believe that a gas like oxygen would very likely delay the effect of the poison you have so aptly named daturon. I may be mistaken, but I am very confident that my reasoning is correct."

"Well," said Lord John, "if we've got to sit suckin' at those tubes like so many babies with their bottles, I'm not takin' any."

"Well," said Lord John, "if we've got to sit sucking on those tubes like babies with their bottles, I'm not taking any."

"There will be no need for that," Challenger answered. "We have made arrangements—it is to my wife that you chiefly owe it—that her boudoir shall be made as airtight as is practicable. With matting and varnished paper."

"There will be no need for that," Challenger answered. "We have made arrangements, and my wife deserves most of the credit. Her sitting room will be made as airtight as possible, using matting and varnished paper."

"Good heavens, Challenger, you don't suppose you can keep out ether with varnished paper?"

"Good heavens, Challenger, you don't think varnished paper can keep out ether, do you?"

"Really, my worthy friend, you are a trifle perverse in missing the point. It is not to keep out the ether that we have gone to such trouble. It is to keep in the oxygen. I trust that if we can ensure an atmosphere hyper-oxygenated to a certain point, we may be able to retain our senses. I had two tubes of the gas and you have brought me three more. It is not much, but it is something."

"Really, my good friend, you are being a little stubborn in missing the point. We haven't gone to all this trouble to keep out the ether. We have done it to keep in the oxygen. I hope that if we can make the air rich enough in oxygen, we may be able to stay conscious. I had two tubes of the gas, and you have brought me three more. It's not much, but it's something."

"How long will they last?"

"How long will they last?"

"I have not an idea. We will not turn them on until our symptoms become unbearable. Then we shall dole the gas out as it is urgently needed. It may give us some hours, possibly even some days, on which we may look out upon a blasted world. Our own fate is delayed to that extent, and we will have the very singular experience, we five, of being, in all probability, the absolute rear guard of the human race upon its march into the unknown. Perhaps you will be kind enough now to give me a hand with the cylinders. It seems to me that the atmosphere already grows somewhat more oppressive."

"I have no idea. We won't turn them on until our symptoms become unbearable. Then we'll give out the gas as it is urgently needed. It may give us a few hours, or possibly even a few days, to look out on a devastated world. Our own fate will be delayed that long. And the five of us will have a very unusual experience. In all probability, we'll be the very last of the human race as it marches into the unknown. Perhaps you'd be kind enough to help me with the cylinders now. It seems to me that the air is already getting a little harder to breathe."