Tales of Terror and Mystery

           Followingthefootman,Iwasshownintoalarge,book-linedroominwhichtherewasseatedbehindawriting-deskasmallmanwithapleasant,clean-shaven,mobileface,andlonghairshotwithgrey,brushedbackfromhisforehead.Helookedmeupanddownwithaveryshrewd,penetratingglance,holdingthecardwhichthefootmanhadgivenhiminhisrighthand.Thenhesmiledpleasantly,andIfeltthatexternallyatanyrateIpossessedthequalificationswhichhedesired.

           "Youhavecomeinanswertomyadvertisement,Dr.Hamilton?"heasked.

           "Yes,sir."

           "Doyoufulfiltheconditionswhicharetherelaiddown?"

           "IbelievethatIdo."

           "Youareapowerfulman,orsoIshouldjudgefromyourappearance.

           "IthinkthatIamfairlystrong."

           "Andresolute?"

           "Ibelieveso."

           "Haveyoueverknownwhatitwastobeexposedtoimminentdanger?"

           "No,Idon’tknowthatIeverhave."

           "Butyouthinkyouwouldbepromptandcoolatsuchatime?"

           "Ihopeso."

           "Well,Ibelievethatyouwould.Ihavethemoreconfidenceinyoubecauseyoudonotpretendtobecertainastowhatyouwoulddoinapositionthatwasnewtoyou.Myimpressionisthat,sofaraspersonalqualitiesgo,youaretheverymanofwhomIaminsearch.Thatbeingsettled,wemaypassontothenextpoint."

           "Whichis?"

           "Totalktomeaboutbeetles."

           Ilookedacrosstoseeifhewasjoking,but,onthecontrary,hewasleaningeagerlyforwardacrosshisdesk,andtherewasanexpressionofsomethinglikeanxietyinhiseyes.

           "Iamafraidthatyoudonotknowaboutbeetles,"hecried.