Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Beetle-Hunter
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.
