Затерянный мир
To-morrow we Disappear into the Unknown
Theunfortunatedelaycanbeapportionedbetweenablunderingpilotandanintrusivesandbank.Ifearthatithasgivenmycolleague,ProfessorSummerlee,occasiontoblaspheme."
"Iamboundtosay,sir,"saidLordJohn,withsomesternnessofvoice,"thatyourturningupisaconsiderablerelieftous,forourmissionseemedtohavecometoaprematureend.EvennowIcan’tforthelifeofmeunderstandwhyyoushouldhaveworkeditinsoextraordinaryamanner."
Insteadofanswering,ProfessorChallengerentered,shookhandswithmyselfandLordJohn,bowedwithponderousinsolencetoProfessorSummerlee,andsankbackintoabasket-chair,whichcreakedandswayedbeneathhisweight.
"Isallreadyforyourjourney?"heasked.
"Wecanstarttomorrow."
"Thensoyoushall.Youneednochartofdirectionsnow,sinceyouwillhavetheinestimableadvantageofmyownguidance.FromthefirstIhaddeterminedthatIwouldmyselfpresideoveryourinvestigation.Themostelaboratechartswould,asyouwillreadilyadmit,beapoorsubstituteformyownintelligenceandadvice.AstothesmallrusewhichIplayeduponyouinthematteroftheenvelope,itisclearthat,hadItoldyouallmyintentions,Ishouldhavebeenforcedtoresistunwelcomepressuretotraveloutwithyou."
"Notfromme,sir!"exclaimedProfessorSummerlee,heartily."SolongastherewasanothershipupontheAtlantic."
Challengerwavedhimawaywithhisgreathairyhand.
