\"Somaydeathbe。Theworn—outbodilymachinecan’trecorditsimpression，butweknowthementalpleasurewhichliesinadreamoratrance。Naturemaybuildabeautifuldoorandhangitwithmanyagauzyandshimmeringcurtaintomakeanentrancetothenewlifeforourwonderingsouls。Inallmyprobingsoftheactual，Ihavealwaysfoundwisdomandkindnessatthecore；andifeverthefrightenedmortalneedstenderness，itissurelyashemakesthepassageperilousfromlifetolife。No，Summerlee，Iwillhavenoneofyourmaterialism，forI，atleast，amtoogreatathingtoendinmerephysicalconstituents，apacketofsaltsandthreebucketfulsofwater。Here——here\"——andhebeathisgreatheadwithhishuge，hairyfist——\"thereissomethingwhichusesmatter，butisnotofit——somethingwhichmightdestroydeath，butwhichdeathcanneverdestroy。\"
\"Talkin’ofdeath，\"saidLordJohn。\"I’maChristianofsorts，butitseemstometherewassomethin’mightynaturalinthoseancestorsofourswhowereburiedwiththeiraxesandbowsandarrowsandthelike，sameasiftheywerelivin’onjustthesameastheyusedto。Idon’tknow，\"headded，lookingroundthetableinashamefacedway，\"thatIwouldn’tfeelmorehomelymyselfifIwasputawaywithmyold。450Expressandthefowlin’—piece，theshorteronewiththerubberedstock，andacliportwoofcartridges——justafool’sfancy，ofcourse，butthereitis。Howdoesitstrikeyou，HerrProfessor？\"
\"Well，\"saidSummerlee，\"sinceyouaskmyopinion，itstrikesmeasanindefensiblethrowbacktotheStoneAgeorbeforeit。I’mofthetwentiethcenturymyself，andwouldwishtodielikeareasonablecivilizedman。Idon’tknowthatIammoreafraidofdeaththantherestofyou，forIamanoldishman，and，comewhatmay，Ican’thaveverymuchlongertolive；butitisallagainstmynaturetositwaitingwithoutastrugglelikeasheepforthebutcher。Isitquitecertain，Challenger，thatthereisnothingwecando？\"
\"Tosaveus——nothing，\"saidChallenger。\"Toprolongourlivesafewhoursandthustoseetheevolutionofthismightytragedybeforeweareactuallyinvolvedinit——thatmayprovetobewithinmypowers。Ihavetakencertainsteps————\"
\"Theoxygen？\"
\"Exactly。Theoxygen。\"
\"Butwhatcanoxygeneffectinthefaceofapoisoningoftheether？Thereisnotagreaterdifferenceinqualitybetweenabrick—batandagasthanthereisbetweenoxygenandether。Theyaredifferentplanesofmatter。Theycannotimpingeupononeanother。Come，Challenger，youcouldnotdefendsuchaproposition。\"
\"MygoodSummerlee，thisethericpoisonismostcertainlyinfluencedbymaterialagents。Weseeitinthemethodsanddistributionoftheoutbreak。WeshouldnotAPRIORIhaveexpectedit，butitisundoubtedlyafact。HenceIamstronglyofopinionthatagaslikeoxygen，whichincreasesthevitalityandtheresistingpowerofthebody，wouldbeextremelylikelytodelaytheactionofwhatyouhavesohappilynamedthedaturon。ItmaybethatIammistaken，butIhaveeveryconfidenceinthecorrectnessofmyreasoning。\"
\"Well，\"saidLordJohn，\"ifwe’vegottositsuckin’atthosetubeslikesomanybabieswiththeirbottles，I’mnottakin’
any。\"
\"Therewillbenoneedforthat，\"Challengeranswered。\"Wehavemadearrangements——itistomywifethatyouchieflyoweit——thatherboudoirshallbemadeasairtightasispracticable。Withmattingandvarnishedpaper。\"
\"Goodheavens，Challenger，youdon’tsupposeyoucankeepoutetherwithvarnishedpaper？\"
\"Really，myworthyfriend，youareatrifleperverseinmissingthepoint。Itisnottokeepouttheetherthatwehavegonetosuchtrouble。Itistokeepintheoxygen。Itrustthatifwecanensureanatmospherehyper—oxygenatedtoacertainpoint，wemaybeabletoretainoursenses。Ihadtwotubesofthegasandyouhavebroughtmethreemore。Itisnotmuch，butitissomething。\"
\"Howlongwilltheylast？\"
\"Ihavenotanidea。Wewillnotturnthemonuntiloursymptomsbecomeunbearable。Thenweshalldolethegasoutasitisurgentlyneeded。Itmaygiveussomehours，possiblyevensomedays，onwhichwemaylookoutuponablastedworld。Ourownfateisdelayedtothatextent，andwewillhavetheverysingularexperience，wefive，ofbeing，inallprobability，theabsoluterearguardofthehumanraceuponitsmarchintotheunknown。Perhapsyouwillbekindenoughnowtogivemeahandwiththecylinders。Itseemstomethattheatmospherealreadygrowssomewhatmoreoppressive。\"
ChapterIII
SUBMERGED
Thechamberwhichwasdestinedtobethesceneofourunforgettableexperiencewasacharminglyfemininesitting—room，somefourteenorsixteenfeetsquare。Attheendofit，dividedbyacurtainofredvelvet，wasasmallapartmentwhichformedtheProfessor’sdressing—room。Thisinturnopenedintoalargebedroom。Thecurtainwasstillhanging，buttheboudoiranddressing—roomcouldbetakenasonechamberforthepurposesofourexperiment。Onedoorandthewindowframehadbeenplasteredroundwithvarnishedpapersoastobepracticallysealed。Abovetheotherdoor，whichopenedontothelanding，therehungafanlightwhichcouldbedrawnbyacordwhensomeventilationbecameabsolutelynecessary。Alargeshrubinatubstoodineachcorner。
\"Howtogetridofourexcessivecarbondioxidewithoutundulywastingouroxygenisadelicateandvitalquestion，\"saidChallenger，lookingroundhimafterthefiveirontubeshadbeenlaidsidebysideagainstthewall。\"WithlongertimeforpreparationIcouldhavebroughtthewholeconcentratedforceofmyintelligencetobearmorefullyupontheproblem，butasitiswemustdowhatwecan。Theshrubswillbeofsomesmallservice。Twooftheoxygentubesarereadytobeturnedonataninstant’snotice，sothatwecannotbetakenunawares。Atthesametime，itwouldbewellnottogofarfromtheroom，asthecrisismaybeasuddenandurgentone。\"
Therewasabroad，lowwindowopeningoutuponabalcony。Theviewbeyondwasthesameasthatwhichwehadalreadyadmiredfromthestudy。Lookingout，Icouldseenosignofdisorderanywhere。Therewasaroadcurvingdownthesideofthehill，undermyveryeyes。Acabfromthestation，oneofthoseprehistoricsurvivalswhichareonlytobefoundinourcountryvillages，wastoilingslowlyupthehill。Lowerdownwasanursegirlwheelingaperambulatorandleadingasecondchildbythehand。Thebluereeksofsmokefromthecottagesgavethewholewidespreadlandscapeanairofsettledorderandhomelycomfort。
Nowhereintheblueheavenoronthesunlitearthwasthereanyforeshadowingofacatastrophe。Theharvesterswerebackinthefieldsoncemoreandthegolfers，inpairsandfours，werestillstreamingroundthelinks。Therewassostrangeaturmoilwithinmyownhead，andsuchajanglingofmyoverstrungnerves，thattheindifferenceofthosepeoplewasamazing。
\"Thosefellowsdon’tseemtofeelanyilleffects，\"saidI，pointingdownatthelinks。
\"Haveyouplayedgolf？\"askedLordJohn。
\"No，Ihavenot。\"
\"Well，youngfellah，whenyoudoyou’lllearnthatoncefairlyoutonaround，itwouldtakethecrackofdoomtostopatruegolfer。Halloa!There’sthattelephone—bellagain。\"
Fromtimetotimeduringandafterlunchthehigh，insistentringhadsummonedtheProfessor。Hegaveusthenewsasitcamethroughtohiminafewcurtsentences。Suchterrificitemshadneverbeenregisteredintheworld’shistorybefore。Thegreatshadowwascreepingupfromthesouthlikearisingtideofdeath。Egypthadgonethroughitsdeliriumandwasnowcomatose。
SpainandPortugal，afterawildfrenzyinwhichtheClericalsandtheAnarchistshadfoughtmostdesperately，werenowfallensilent。NocablemessageswerereceivedanylongerfromSouthAmerica。InNorthAmericathesouthernstates，aftersometerribleracialrioting，hadsuccumbedtothepoison。NorthofMarylandtheeffectwasnotyetmarked，andinCanadaitwashardlyperceptible。Belgium，Holland，andDenmarkhadeachinturnbeenaffected。Despairingmessageswereflashingfromeveryquartertothegreatcentresoflearning，tothechemistsandthedoctorsofworld—widerepute，imploringtheiradvice。Theastronomerstooweredelugedwithinquiries。Nothingcouldbedone。Thethingwasuniversalandbeyondourhumanknowledgeorcontrol。Itwasdeath——painlessbutinevitable——deathforyoungandold，forweakandstrong，forrichandpoor，withouthopeorpossibilityofescape。Suchwasthenewswhich，inscattered，distractedmessages，thetelephonehadbroughtus。Thegreatcitiesalreadyknewtheirfateandsofaraswecouldgatherwerepreparingtomeetitwithdignityandresignation。Yetherewereourgolfersandlaborerslikethelambswhogambolundertheshadowoftheknife。Itseemedamazing。Andyethowcouldtheyknow？Ithadallcomeuponusinonegiantstride。Whatwasthereinthemorningpapertoalarmthem？Andnowitwasbutthreeintheafternoon。Evenaswelookedsomerumourseemedtohavespread，forwesawthereapershurryingfromthefields。
Someofthegolferswerereturningtotheclub—house。Theywererunningasiftakingrefugefromashower。Theirlittlecaddiestrailedbehindthem。Otherswerecontinuingtheirgame。Thenursehadturnedandwaspushingherperambulatorhurriedlyupthehillagain。Inoticedthatshehadherhandtoherbrow。
Thecabhadstoppedandthetiredhorse，withhisheadsunktohisknees，wasresting。Abovetherewasaperfectsummersky——onehugevaultofunbrokenblue，saveforafewfleecywhitecloudsoverthedistantdowns。Ifthehumanracemustdieto—day，itwasatleastuponagloriousdeath—bed。Andyetallthatgentlelovelinessofnaturemadethisterrificandwholesaledestructionthemorepitiableandawful。Surelyitwastoogoodlyaresidencethatweshouldbesoswiftly，soruthlessly，evictedfromit!
ButIhavesaidthatthetelephone—bellhadrungoncemore。
SuddenlyIheardChallenger’stremendousvoicefromthehall。
\"Malone!\"hecried。\"Youarewanted。\"
Irusheddowntotheinstrument。ItwasMcArdlespeakingfromLondon。
\"Thatyou，Mr。Malone？\"criedhisfamiliarvoice。\"Mr。Malone，thereareterriblegoings—oninLondon。ForGod’ssake，seeifProfessorChallengercansuggestanythingthatcanbedone。\"
\"Hecansuggestnothing，sir，\"Ianswered。\"Heregardsthecrisisasuniversalandinevitable。Wehavesomeoxygenhere，butitcanonlydeferourfateforafewhours。\"
\"Oxygen!\"criedtheagonizedvoice。\"Thereisnotimetogetany。Theofficehasbeenaperfectpandemoniumeversinceyouleftinthemorning。Nowhalfofthestaffareinsensible。Iamweigheddownwithheavinessmyself。FrommywindowIcanseethepeoplelyingthickinFleetStreet。Thetrafficisallheldup。
Judgingbythelasttelegrams，thewholeworld————\"
Hisvoicehadbeensinking，andsuddenlystopped。AninstantlaterIheardthroughthetelephoneamuffledthud，asifhisheadhadfallenforwardonthedesk。
\"Mr。McArdle!\"Icried。\"Mr。McArdle!\"
Therewasnoanswer。IknewasIreplacedthereceiverthatI
shouldneverhearhisvoiceagain。
Atthatinstant，justasItookastepbackwardsfromthetelephone，thethingwasonus。Itwasasifwewerebathers，uptoourshouldersinwater，whosuddenlyaresubmergedbyarollingwave。Aninvisiblehandseemedtohavequietlyclosedroundmythroatandtobegentlypressingthelifefromme。I
wasconsciousofimmenseoppressionuponmychest，greattightnesswithinmyhead，aloudsinginginmyears，andbrightflashesbeforemyeyes。Istaggeredtothebalustradesofthestair。Atthesamemoment，rushingandsnortinglikeawoundedbuffalo，Challengerdashedpastme，aterriblevision，withred—purpleface，engorgedeyes，andbristlinghair。Hislittlewife，insensibletoallappearance，wasslungoverhisgreatshoulder，andheblunderedandthunderedupthestair，scramblingandtripping，butcarryinghimselfandherthroughsheerwill—forcethroughthatmephiticatmospheretothehavenoftemporarysafety。AtthesightofhiseffortItoorushedupthesteps，clambering，falling，clutchingattherail，untilI
tumbledhalfsenselessuponbyfaceontheupperlanding。LordJohn’sfingersofsteelwereinthecollarofmycoat，andamomentlaterIwasstretcheduponmyback，unabletospeakormove，ontheboudoircarpet。Thewomanlaybesideme，andSummerleewasbunchedinachairbythewindow，hisheadnearlytouchinghisknees。AsinadreamIsawChallenger，likeamonstrousbeetle，crawlingslowlyacrossthefloor，andamomentlaterIheardthegentlehissingoftheescapingoxygen。
Challengerbreathedtwoorthreetimeswithenormousgulps，hislungsroaringashedrewinthevitalgas。
\"Itworks!\"hecriedexultantly。\"Myreasoninghasbeenjustified!\"Hewasuponhisfeetagain，alertandstrong。Withatubeinhishandherushedovertohiswifeandheldittoherface。Inafewsecondsshemoaned，stirred，andsatup。Heturnedtome，andIfeltthetideoflifestealingwarmlythroughmyarteries。Myreasontoldmethatitwasbutalittlerespite，andyet，carelesslyaswetalkofitsvalue，everyhourofexistencenowseemedaninestimablething。NeverhaveIknownsuchathrillofsensuousjoyascamewiththatfreshetoflife。
Theweightfellawayfrommylungs，thebandloosenedfrommybrow，asweetfeelingofpeaceandgentle，languidcomfortstoleoverme。IlaywatchingSummerleereviveunderthesameremedy，andfinallyLordJohntookhisturn。Hesprangtohisfeetandgavemeahandtorise，whileChallengerpickeduphiswifeandlaidheronthesettee。
\"Oh，George，Iamsosorryyoubroughtmeback，\"shesaid，holdinghimbythehand。\"Thedoorofdeathisindeed，asyousaid，hungwithbeautiful，shimmeringcurtains；for，oncethechokingfeelinghadpassed，itwasallunspeakablysoothingandbeautiful。Whyhaveyoudraggedmeback？\"
\"BecauseIwishthatwemakethepassagetogether。Wehavebeentogethersomanyyears。Itwouldbesadtofallapartatthesuprememoment。\"
ForamomentinhistendervoiceIcaughtaglimpseofanewChallenger，somethingveryfarfromthebullying，ranting，arrogantmanwhohadalternatelyamazedandoffendedhisgeneration。HereintheshadowofdeathwastheinnermostChallenger，themanwhohadwonandheldawoman’slove。
Suddenlyhismoodchangedandhewasourstrongcaptainonceagain。
\"AloneofallmankindIsawandforetoldthiscatastrophe，\"saidhewitharingofexultationandscientifictriumphinhisvoice。\"Astoyou，mygoodSummerlee，ItrustyourlastdoubtshavebeenresolvedastothemeaningoftheblurringofthelinesinthespectrumandthatyouwillnolongercontendthatmyletterintheTimeswasbaseduponadelusion。\"
Foronceourpugnaciouscolleaguewasdeaftoachallenge。Hecouldbutsitgaspingandstretchinghislong，thinlimbs，asiftoassurehimselfthathewasstillreallyuponthisplanet。
Challengerwalkedacrosstotheoxygentube，andthesoundoftheloudhissingfellawaytillitwasthemostgentlesibilation。
\"Wemusthusbandoursupplyofthegas，\"saidhe。\"Theatmosphereoftheroomisnowstronglyhyperoxygenated，andI
takeitthatnoneofusfeelanydistressingsymptoms。Wecanonlydeterminebyactualexperimentswhatamountaddedtotheairwillservetoneutralizethepoison。Letusseehowthatwilldo。\"
Wesatinsilentnervoustensionforfiveminutesormore，observingourownsensations。IhadjustbeguntofancythatI
felttheconstrictionroundmytemplesagainwhenMrs。
Challengercalledoutfromthesofathatshewasfainting。Herhusbandturnedonmoregas。
\"Inpre—scientificdays，\"saidhe，\"theyusedtokeepawhitemouseineverysubmarine，asitsmoredelicateorganizationgavesignsofaviciousatmospherebeforeitwasperceivedbythesailors。You，mydear，willbeourwhitemouse。Ihavenowincreasedthesupplyandyouarebetter。\"
\"Yes，Iambetter。\"
\"Possiblywehavehituponthecorrectmixture。Whenwehaveascertainedexactlyhowlittlewillserveweshallbeabletocomputehowlongweshallbeabletoexist。Unfortunately，inresuscitatingourselveswehavealreadyconsumedaconsiderableproportionofthisfirsttube。\"
\"Doesitmatter？\"askedLordJohn，whowasstandingwithhishandsinhispocketsclosetothewindow。\"Ifwehavetogo，whatistheuseofholdin’on？Youdon’tsupposethere’sanychanceforus？\"
Challengersmiledandshookhishead。
\"Well，then，don’tyouthinkthereismoredignityintakin’thejumpandnotwaitin’tohepushedin？Ifitmustbeso，I’mforsayin’ourprayers，turnin’offthegas，andopenin’thewindow。\"
\"Whynot？\"saidtheladybravely。\"Surely，George，LordJohnisrightanditisbetterso。\"
\"Imoststronglyobject，\"criedSummerleeinaquerulousvoice。
\"Whenwemustdieletusbyallmeansdie，buttodeliberatelyanticipatedeathseemstometobeafoolishandunjustifiableaction。\"
\"Whatdoesouryoungfriendsaytoit？\"askedChallenger。
\"Ithinkweshouldseeittotheend。\"
\"AndIamstronglyofthesameopinion，\"saidhe。
\"Then，George，ifyousayso，Ithinksotoo，\"criedthelady。
\"Well，well，I’monlyputtin’itasanargument，\"saidLordJohn。\"IfyouallwanttoseeitthroughIamwithyou。It’sdoocedinterestin’，andnomistakeaboutthat。I’vehadmyshareofadventuresinmylife，andasmanythrillsasmostfolk，butI’mendin’onmytopnote。\"
\"Grantingthecontinuityoflife，\"saidChallenger。
\"Alargeassumption!\"criedSummerlee。Challengerstaredathiminsilentreproof。
\"Grantingthecontinuityoflife，\"saidhe，inhismostdidacticmanner，\"noneofuscanpredicatewhatopportunitiesofobservationonemayhavefromwhatwemaycallthespiritplanetotheplaneofmatter。Itsurelymustbeevidenttothemostobtuseperson\"（hereheglaredaSummerlee）\"thatitiswhileweareourselvesmaterialthatwearemostfittedtowatchandformajudgmentuponmaterialphenomena。Thereforeitisonlybykeepingaliveforthesefewextrahoursthatwecanhopetocarryonwithustosomefutureexistenceaclearconceptionofthemoststupendouseventthattheworld，ortheuniversesofarasweknowit，haseverencountered。Tomeitwouldseemadeplorablethingthatweshouldinanywaycurtailbysomuchasaminutesowonderfulanexperience。\"
\"Iamstronglyofthesameopinion，\"criedSummerlee。
\"Carriedwithoutadivision，\"saidLordJohn。\"ByGeorge，thatpoordevilofachauffeurofyoursdownintheyardhasmadehislastjourney。Nousemakin’asallyandbringin’himin？\"
\"Itwouldbeabsolutemadness，\"criedSummerlee。
\"Well，Isupposeitwould，\"saidLordJohn。\"Itcouldn’thelphimandwouldscatterourgasalloverthehouse，evenifweevergotbackalive。Myword，lookatthelittlebirdsunderthetrees!\"
Wedrewfourchairsuptothelong，lowwindow，theladystillrestingwithclosedeyesuponthesettee。Irememberthatthemonstrousandgrotesqueideacrossedmymind——theillusionmayhavebeenheightenedbytheheavystuffinessoftheairwhichwewerebreathing——thatwewereinfourfrontseatsofthestallsatthelastactofthedramaoftheworld。
Intheimmediateforeground，beneathourveryeyes，wasthesmallyardwiththehalf—cleanedmotor—carstandinginit。
Austin，thechauffeur，hadreceivedhisfinalnoticeatlast，forhewassprawlingbesidethewheel，withagreatblackbruiseuponhisforeheadwhereithadstruckthestepormud—guardinfalling。Hestillheldinhishandthenozzleofthehosewithwhichhehadbeenwashingdownhismachine。Acoupleofsmallplanetreesstoodinthecorneroftheyard，andunderneaththemlayseveralpatheticlittleballsoffluffyfeathers，withtinyfeetuplifted。Thesweepofdeath’sscythehadincludedeverything，greatandsmall，withinitsswath。
Overthewalloftheyardwelookeddownuponthewindingroad，whichledtothestation。Agroupofthereaperswhomwehadseenrunningfromthefieldswerelyingallpell—mell，theirbodiescrossingeachother，atthebottomofit。Fartherup，thenurse—girllaywithherheadandshouldersproppedagainsttheslopeofthegrassybank。Shehadtakenthebabyfromtheperambulator，anditwasamotionlessbundleofwrapsinherarms。Closebehindheratinypatchupontheroadsideshowedwherethelittleboywasstretched。Stillnearertouswasthedeadcab—horse，kneelingbetweentheshafts。Theolddriverwashangingoverthesplash—boardlikesomegrotesquescarecrow，hisarmsdanglingabsurdlyinfrontofhim。Throughthewindowwecoulddimlydiscernthatayoungmanwasseatedinside。Thedoorwasswingingopenandhishandwasgraspingthehandle，asifhehadattemptedtoleapforthatthelastinstant。Inthemiddledistancelaythegolflinks，dottedastheyhadbeeninthemorningwiththedarkfiguresofthegolfers，lyingmotionlessuponthegrassofthecourseoramongtheheatherwhichskirtedit。Ononeparticulargreentherewereeightbodiesstretchedwhereafoursomewithitscaddieshadheldtotheirgametothelast。Nobirdflewinthebluevaultofheaven，nomanorbeastmoveduponthevastcountrysidewhichlaybeforeus。Theeveningsunshoneitspeacefulradianceacrossit，buttherebroodedoveritallthestillnessandthesilenceofuniversaldeath——adeathinwhichweweresosoontojoin。Atthepresentinstantthatonefrailsheetofglass，byholdingintheextraoxygenwhichcounteractedthepoisonedether，shutusofffromthefateofallourkind。Forafewshorthourstheknowledgeandforesightofonemancouldpreserveourlittleoasisoflifeinthevastdesertofdeathandsaveusfromparticipationinthecommoncatastrophe。Thenthegaswouldrunlow，wetooshouldliegaspinguponthatcherry—colouredboudoircarpet，andthefateofthehumanraceandofallearthlylifewouldbecomplete。Foralongtime，inamoodwhichwastoosolemnforspeech，welookedoutatthetragicworld。
\"Thereisahouseonfire，\"saidChallengeratlast，pointingtoacolumnofsmokewhichroseabovethetrees。\"Therewill，I
expect，bemanysuch——possiblywholecitiesinflames——whenweconsiderhowmanyfolkmayhavedroppedwithlightsintheirhands。Thefactofcombustionisinitselfenoughtoshowthattheproportionofoxygenintheatmosphereisnormalandthatitistheetherwhichisatfault。Ah，thereyouseeanotherblazeonthetopofCrowboroughHill。Itisthegolfclubhouse，orI
ammistaken。Thereisthechurchclockchimingthehour。Itwouldinterestourphilosopherstoknowthatman—mademechanismshassurvivedtheracewhomadeit。\"
\"ByGeorge!\"criedLordJohn，risingexcitedlyfromhischair。
\"What’sthatpuffofsmoke？It’satrain。\"
Weheardtheroarofit，andpresentlyitcameflyingintosight，goingatwhatseemedtometobeaprodigiousspeed。
Whenceithadcome，orhowfar，wehadnomeansofknowing。Onlybysomemiracleofluckcouldithavegoneanydistance。Butnowweweretoseetheterrificendofitscareer。Atrainofcoaltrucksstoodmotionlessupontheline。Weheldourbreathastheexpressroaredalongthesametrack。Thecrashwashorrible。
Engineandcarriagespiledthemselvesintoahillofsplinteredwoodandtwistediron。Redspurtsofflameflickeredupfromthewreckageuntilitwasallablaze。Forhalfanhourwesatwithhardlyaword，stunnedbythestupendoussight。
\"Poor，poorpeople!\"criedMrs。Challengeratlast，clingingwithawhimpertoherhusband’sarm。
\"Mydear，thepassengersonthattrainwerenomoreanimatethanthecoalsintowhichtheycrashedorthecarbonwhichtheyhavenowbecome，\"saidChallenger，strokingherhandsoothingly。\"ItwasatrainofthelivingwhenitleftVictoria，butitwasdrivenandfreightedbythedeadlongbeforeitreacheditsfate。\"
\"Allovertheworldthesamethingmustbegoingon，\"saidIasavisionofstrangehappeningsrosebeforeme。\"Thinkoftheshipsatsea——howtheywillsteamonandon，untilthefurnacesdiedownoruntiltheyrunfulltiltuponsomebeach。Thesailingshipstoo——howtheywillbackandfillwiththeircargoesofdeadsailors，whiletheirtimbersrotandtheirjointsleak，tillonebyonetheysinkbelowthesurface。PerhapsacenturyhencetheAtlanticmaystillbedottedwiththeolddriftingderelicts。\"
\"Andthefolkinthecoal—mines，\"saidSummerleewithadismalchuckle。\"Ifevergeologistsshouldbyanychanceliveuponearthagaintheywillhavesomestrangetheoriesoftheexistenceofmanincarboniferousstrata。\"
\"Idon’tprofesstoknowaboutsuchthings，\"remarkedLordJohn，\"butitseemstometheearthwillbe`Tolet，empty，’afterthis。Whenonceourhumancrowdiswipedoffit，howwillitevergetonagain？\"
\"Theworldwasemptybefore，\"Challengeransweredgravely。
\"Underlawswhichintheirinceptionarebeyondandaboveus，itbecamepeopled。Whymaythesameprocessnothappenagain？\"
\"MydearChallenger，youcan’tmeanthat？\"
\"Iamnotinthehabit，ProfessorSummerlee，ofsayingthingswhichIdonotmean。Theobservationistrivial。\"Outwentthebeardanddowncametheeyelids。
\"Well，youlivedanobstinatedogmatist，andyoumeantodieone，\"saidSummerleesourly。
\"Andyou，sir，havelivedanunimaginativeobstructionistandnevercanhopenowtoemergefromit。\"
\"Yourworstcriticswillneveraccuseyouoflackingimagination，\"Summerleeretorted。
\"Uponmyword!\"saidLordJohn。\"Itwouldbelikeyouifyouusedupourlastgaspofoxygeninabusingeachother。Whatcanitmatterwhetherfolkcomebackornot？Itsurelywon’tbeinourtime。\"\"Inthatremark，sir，youbetrayyourownverypronouncedlimitations，\"saidChallengerseverely。\"Thetruescientificmindisnottobetieddownbyitsownconditionsoftimeandspace。Itbuildsitselfanobservatoryerectedupontheborderlineofpresent，whichseparatestheinfinitepastfromtheinfinitefuture。Fromthissurepostitmakesitssallieseventothebeginningandtotheendofallthings。Astodeath，thescientificminddiesatitspostworkinginnormalandmethodicfashiontotheend。Itdisregardssopettyathingasitsownphysicaldissolutionascompletelyasitdoesallotherlimitationsupontheplaneofmatter。AmIright，ProfessorSummerlee？\"
Summerleegrumbledanungraciousassent。
\"Withcertainreservations，Iagree，\"saidhe。
\"Theidealscientificmind，\"continuedChallenger——\"Iputitinthethirdpersonratherthanappeartobetooself—complacent——theidealscientificmindshouldbecapableofthinkingoutapointofabstractknowledgeintheintervalbetweenitsownerfallingfromaballoonandreachingtheearth。
Menofthisstrongfibreareneededtoformtheconquerorsofnatureandthebodyguardoftruth。\"
\"Itstrikesmenature’sontopthistime，\"saidLordJohn，lookingoutofthewindow。\"I’vereadsomeleadin’articlesaboutyougentlemencontrollin’her，butshe’sgettin’abitofherownback。\"
\"Itisbutatemporarysetback，\"saidChallengerwithconviction。\"Afewmillionyears，whataretheyinthegreatcycleoftime？Thevegetableworldhas，asyoucansee，survived。Lookattheleavesofthatplanetree。Thebirdsaredead，buttheplantflourishes。Fromthisvegetablelifeinpondandinmarshwillcome，intime，thetinycrawlingmicroscopicslugswhicharethepioneersofthatgreatarmyoflifeinwhichfortheinstantwefivehavetheextraordinarydutyofservingasrearguard。Oncethelowestformoflifehasestablisheditself，thefinaladventofmanisascertainasthegrowthoftheoakfromtheacorn。Theoldcirclewillswingroundoncemore。\"
\"Butthepoison？\"Iasked。\"Willthatnotniplifeinthebud？\"
\"Thepoisonmaybeamerestratumorlayerintheether——amephiticGulfStreamacrossthatmightyoceaninwhichwefloat。
Ortolerancemaybeestablishedandlifeaccommodateitselftoanewcondition。Themerefactthatwithacomparativelysmallhyperoxygenationofourbloodwecanholdoutagainstitissurelyaproofinitselfthatnoverygreatchangewouldbeneededtoenableanimallifetoendureit。\"
Thesmokinghousebeyondthetreeshadburstintoflames。Wecouldseethehightonguesoffireshootingupintotheair。
\"It’sprettyawful，\"mutteredLordJohn，moreimpressedthanI
hadeverseenhim。
\"Well，afterall，whatdoesitmatter？\"Iremarked。\"Theworldisdead。Cremationissurelythebestburial。\"
\"Itwouldshortenusupifthishousewentablaze。\"
\"Iforesawthedanger，\"saidChallenger，\"andaskedmywifetoguardagainstit。\"
\"Everythingisquitesafe，dear。Butmyheadbeginstothrobagain。Whatadreadfulatmosphere!\"
\"Wemustchangeit，\"saidChallenger。Hebentoverhiscylinderofoxygen。
\"It’snearlyempty，\"saidhe。\"Ithaslastedussomethreeandahalfhours。Itisnowcloseoneighto’cloek。Weshallgetthroughthenightcomfortably。Ishouldexpecttheendaboutnineo’clockto—morrowmorning。Weshallseeonesunrise，whichshallbeallourown。\"
Heturnedonhissecondtubeandopenedforhalfaminutethefanlightoverthedoor。Thenastheairbecameperceptiblybetter，butourownsymptomsmoreacute，hecloseditonceagain。
\"Bytheway，\"saidhe，\"mandoesnotliveuponoxygenalone。
It’sdinnertimeandover。Iassureyou，gentlemen，thatwhenI
invitedyoutomyhomeandtowhatIhadhopedwouldbeaninterestingreunion，Ihadintendedthatmykitchenshouldjustifyitself。However，wemustdowhatwecan。Iamsurethatyouwillagreewithmethatitwouldbefollytoconsumeourairtoorapidlybylightinganoil—stove。Ihavesomesmallprovisionofcoldmeats，bread，andpickleswhich，withacoupleofbottlesofclaret，mayserveourturn。Thankyou，mydear——nowaseveryouarethequeenofmanagers。\"
Itwasindeedwonderfulhow，withtheself—respectandsenseofproprietyoftheBritishhousekeeper，theladyhadwithinafewminutesadornedthecentraltablewithasnow—whitecloth，laidthenapkinsuponit，andsetforththesimplemealwithalltheeleganceofcivilization，includinganelectrictorchlampinthecentre。Wonderfulalsowasittofindthatourappetiteswereravenous。
\"Itisthemeasureofouremotion，\"saidChallengerwiththatairofcondescensionwithwhichhebroughthisscientificmindtotheexplanationofhumblefacts。\"Wehavegonethroughagreatcrisis。Thatmeansmoleculardisturbance。Thatinturnmeanstheneedforrepair。Greatsorroworgreatjoyshouldbringintensehunger——notabstinencefromfood，asournovelistswillhaveit。\"
\"That’swhythecountryfolkhavegreatfeastsatfunerals，\"I
hazarded。
\"Exactly。Ouryoungfriendhashituponanexcellentillustration。Letmegiveyouanothersliceoftongue。\"
\"Thesamewithsavages，\"saidLordJohn，cuttingawayatthebeef。\"I’veseenthemburyin’achiefuptheAruwimiRiver，andtheyateahippothatmusthaveweighedasmuchasatribe。
TherearesomeofthemdownNewGuineawaythateatthelate—lamentedhimself，justbywayofalasttidyup。Well，ofallthefuneralfeastsonthisearth，Isupposetheonewearetakin’isthequeerest。\"
\"Thestrangethingis，\"saidMrs。Challenger，\"thatIfinditimpossibletofeelgriefforthosewhoaregone。TherearemyfatherandmotheratBedford。Iknowthattheyaredead，andyetinthistremendousuniversaltragedyIcanfeelnosharpsorrowforanyindividuals，evenforthem。\"
\"AndmyoldmotherinhercottageinIreland，\"saidI。\"Icanseeherinmymind’seye，withhershawlandherlacecap，lyingbackwithclosedeyesintheoldhigh—backedchairnearthewindow，herglassesandherbookbesideher。WhyshouldImourn。
her？ShehaspassedandIampassing，andImaybenearerherinsomeotherlifethanEnglandistoIreland。YetIgrievetothinkthatthatdearbodyisnomore。\"
\"Astothebody，\"remarkedChallenger，\"wedonotmournovertheparingsofournailsnorthecutlocksofourhair，thoughtheywereoncepartofourselves。Neitherdoesaone—leggedmanyearnsentimentallyoverhismissingmember。Thephysicalbodyhasratherbeenasourceofpainandfatiguetous。Itistheconstantindexofourlimitations。Whythenshouldweworryaboutitsdetachmentfromourpsychicalselves？\"
\"Iftheycanindeedbedetached，\"Summerleegrumbled。\"But，anyhow，universaldeathisdreadful。\"
\"AsIhavealreadyexplained，\"saidChallenger，\"auniversaldeathmustinitsnaturebefarlessterriblethanaisolatedone。\"
\"Sameinabattle，\"remarkedLordJohn。\"Ifyousawasinglemanlyingonthatfloorwithhischestknockedinandaholeinhisfaceitwouldturnyousick。ButI’veseententhousandontheirbacksintheSoudan，anditgavemenosuchfeelin’，forwhenyouaremakin’historythelifeofanymanistoosmallathingtoworryover。Whenathousandmillionpassovertogether，sameashappenedto—day，youcan’tpickyourownpartic’laroutofthecrowd。\"
\"Iwishitwerewelloverwithus，\"saidtheladywistfully。
\"Oh，George，Iamsofrightened。\"
\"You’llbethebravestofusall，littlelady，whenthetimecomes。I’vebeenablusterousoldhusbandtoyou，dear，butyou’lljustbearinmindthatG。E。C。isashewasmadeandcouldn’thelphimself。Afterall，youwouldn’thavehadanyoneelse？\"
\"Nooneinthewholewideworld，dear，\"saidshe，andputherarmsroundhisbullneck。Wethreewalkedtothewindowandstoodamazedatthesightwhichmetoureyes。
Darknesshadfallenandthedeadworldwasshroudedingloom。
Butrightacrossthesouthernhorizonwasonelongvividscarletstreak，waxingandwaninginvividpulsesoflife，leapingsuddenlytoacrimsonzenithandthendyingdowntoaglowinglineoffire。
\"Lewesisablaze!\"
\"No，itisBrightonwhichisburning，\"saidChallenger，steppingacrosstojoinus。\"Youcanseethecurvedbackofthedownsagainsttheglow。Thatfireismilesonthefarthersideofit。
Thewholetownmustbealight。\"
Therewereseveralredglaresatdifferentpoints，andthepileofDEBRISupontherailwaylinewasstillsmolderingdarkly，buttheyallseemedmerepin—pointsoflightcomparedtothatmonstrousconflagrationthrobbingbeyondthehills。WhatcopyitwouldhavemadefortheGazette!Hadeverajournalistsuchanopeningandsolittlechanceofusingit——thescoopofscoops，andnoonetoappreciateit？Andthen，suddenly，theoldinstinctofrecordingcameoverme。Ifthesemenofsciencecouldbesotruetotheirlife’sworktotheveryend，whyshouldnotI，inmyhumbleway，beasconstant？NohumaneyemighteverrestuponwhatIhaddone。Butthelongnighthadtobepassedsomehow，andformeatleast，sleepseemedtobeoutofthequestion。Mynoteswouldhelptopassthewearyhoursandtooccupymythoughts。ThusitisthatnowIhavebeforemethenotebookwithitsscribbledpages，writtenconfusedlyuponmykneeinthedim，waninglightofouroneelectrictorch。HadI
theliterarytouch，theymighthavebeenworthyoftheoccasion，Asitis，theymaystillservetobringtoothermindsthelong—drawnemotionsandtremorsofthatawfulnight。
ChapterIV
ADIARYOFTHEDYING
Howstrangethewordslookscribbledatthetopoftheemptypageofmybook!HowstrangerstillthatitisI，EdwardMalone，whohavewrittenthem——IwhostartedonlysometwelvehoursagofrommyroomsinStreathamwithoutonethoughtofthemarvelswhichthedaywastobringforth!Ilookbackatthechainofincidents，myinterviewwithMcArdle，Challenger’sfirstnoteofalarmintheTimes，theabsurdjourneyinthetrain，thepleasantluncheon，thecatastrophe，andnowithascometothis——thatwelingeraloneuponanemptyplanet，andsosureisourfatethatIcanregardtheselines，writtenfrommechanicalprofessionalhabitandnevertobeseenbyhumaneyes，asthewordsofonewhoisalreadydead，socloselydoeshestandtotheshadowedborderlandoverwhichalloutsidethisonelittlecircleoffriendshavealreadygone。IfeelhowwiseandtruewerethewordsofChallengerwhenhesaidthattherealtragedywouldbeifwewereleftbehindwhenallthatisnobleandgoodandbeautifulhadpassed。Butofthattherecansurelybenodanger。Alreadyoursecondtubeofoxygenisdrawingtoanend。
Wecancountthepoordregsofourlivesalmosttoaminute。
Wehavejustbeentreatedtoalecture，agoodquarterofanhourlong，fromChallenger，whowassoexcitedthatheroaredandbellowedasifhewereaddressinghisoldrowsofscientificscepticsintheQueen’sHall。Hehadcertainlyastrangeaudiencetoharangue：hiswifeperfectlyacquiescentandabsolutelyignorantofhismeaning，Summerleeseatedintheshadow，querulousandcriticalbutinterested，LordJohnlounginginacornersomewhatboredbythewholeproceeding，andmyselfbesidethewindowwatchingthescenewithakindofdetachedattention，asifitwerealladreamorsomethinginwhichIhadnopersonalinterestwhatever。Challengersatatthecentretablewiththeelectriclightilluminatingtheslideunderthemicroscopewhichhehadbroughtfromhisdressingroom。Thesmallvividcircleofwhitelightfromthemirrorlefthalfofhisrugged，beardedfaceinbrilliantradianceandhalfindeepestshadow。Hehad，itseems，beenworkingoflateuponthelowestformsoflife，andwhatexcitedhimatthepresentmomentwasthatinthemicroscopicslidemadeupthedaybeforehefoundtheamoebatohestillalive。
\"Youcanseeitforyourselves，\"hekeptrepeatingingreatexcitement。\"Summerlee，willyoustepacrossandsatisfyyourselfuponthepoint？Malone，willyoukindlyverifywhatI
say？Thelittlespindle—shapedthingsinthecentrearediatomsandmaybedisregardedsincetheyareprobablyvegetableratherthananimal。Buttheright—handsideyouwillseeanundoubtedamoeba，movingsluggishlyacrossthefield。Theupperscrewisthefineadjustment。Lookatitforyourselves。\"
Summerleedidsoandacquiesced。SodidIandperceivedalittlecreaturewhichlookedasifitweremadeofgroundglassflowinginastickywayacrossthelightedcircle。LordJohnwaspreparedtotakehimontrust。
\"I’mnottroublin’myheadwhetherhe’saliveordead，\"saidhe。
\"Wedon’tsomuchasknoweachotherbysight，sowhyshouldI
takeittoheart？Idon’tsupposehe’sworryin’himselfoverthestateofOURhealth。\"
Ilaughedatthis，andChallengerlookedinmydirectionwithhiscoldestandmostsuperciliousstare。Itwasamostpetrifyingexperience。
\"Theflippancyofthehalf—educatedismoreobstructivetosciencethantheobtusenessoftheignorant，\"saidhe。\"IfLordJohnRoxtonwouldcondescend————\"
\"MydearGeorge，don’tbesopeppery，\"saidhiswife，withherhandontheblackmanethatdroopedoverthemicroscope。\"Whatcanitmatterwhethertheamoebaisaliveornot？\"
\"Itmattersagreatdeal，\"saidChallengergruffly。
\"Well，let’shearaboutit，\"saidLordJohnwithagood—humouredsmile。\"Wemayaswelltalkaboutthatasanythingelse。IfyouthinkI’vebeentoooff—handwiththething，orhurtitsfeelin’sinanyway，I’llapologize。\"
\"Formypart，\"remarkedSummerleeinhiscreaky，argumentativevoice，\"Ican’tseewhyyoushouldattachsuchimportancetothecreaturebeingalive。Itisinthesameatmosphereasourselves，sonaturallythepoisondoesnotactuponit。Ifitwereoutsideofthisroomitwouldbedead，likeallotheranimallife。\"
\"Yourremarks，mygoodSummerlee，\"saidChallengerwithenormouscondescension（oh，ifIcouldpaintthatover—bearing，arrogantfaceinthevividcircleofreflectionfromthemicroscopemirror!）——\"yourremarksshowthatyouimperfectlyappreciatethesituation。Thisspecimenwasmountedyesterdayandishermeticallysealed。Noneofouroxygencanreachit。Buttheether，ofcourse，haspenetratedtoit，astoeveryotherpointupontheuniverse。Therefore，ithassurvivedthepoison。
Hence，wemayarguethateveryamoebaoutsidethisroom，insteadofbeingdead，asyouhaveerroneouslystated，hasreallysurvivedthecatastrophe。\"
\"Well，evennowIdon’tfeelinclinedtohip—hurrahaboutit，\"
saidLordJohn。\"Whatdoesitmatter？\"
\"Itjustmattersthis，thattheworldisalivinginsteadofadeadone。Ifyouhadthescientificimagination，youwouldcastyourmindforwardfromthisonefact，andyouwouldseesomefewmillionsofyearshence——amerepassingmomentintheenormousfluxoftheages——thewholeworldteemingoncemorewiththeanimalandhumanlifewhichwillspringfromthistinyroot。Youhaveseenaprairiefirewheretheflameshaveswepteverytraceofgrassorplantfromthesurfaceoftheearthandleftonlyablackenedwaste。Youwouldthinkthatitmustbeforeverdesert。
Yettherootsofgrowthhavebeenleftbehind，andwhenyoupasstheplaceafewyearshenceyoucannolongertellwheretheblackscarsusedtobe。Hereinthistinycreaturearetherootsofgrowthoftheanimalworld，andbyitsinherentdevelopment，andevolution，itwillsurelyintimeremoveeverytraceofthisincomparablecrisisinwhichwearenowinvolved。\"
\"Doocedinterestin’!\"saidLordJohn，loungingacrossandlookingthroughthemicroscope。\"Funnylittlechaptohangnumberoneamongthefamilyportraits。Gotafinebigshirt—studonhim!\"
\"Thedarkobjectishisnucleus，\"saidChallengerwiththeairofanurseteachingletterstoababy。
\"Well，weneedn’tfeellonely，\"saidLordJohnlaughing。
\"There’ssomebodylivin’besidesusontheearth。\"
\"Youseemtotakeitforgranted，Challenger，\"saidSummerlee，\"thattheobjectforwhichthisworldwascreatedwasthatitshouldproduceandsustainhumanlife。\"
\"Well，sir，andwhatobjectdoyousuggest？\"askedChallenger，bristlingattheleasthintofcontradiction。
\"SometimesIthinkthatitisonlythemonstrousconceitofmankindwhichmakeshimthinkthatallthisstagewaserectedforhimtostrutupon。\"
\"Wecannotbedogmaticaboutit，butatleastwithoutwhatyouhaveventuredtocallmonstrousconceitwecansurelysaythatwearethehighestthinginnature。\"
\"Thehighestofwhichwehavecognizance。\"
\"That，sir，goeswithoutsaying。\"
\"Thinkofallthemillionsandpossiblybillionsofyearsthattheearthswungemptythroughspace——or，ifnotempty，atleastwithoutasignorthoughtofthehumanrace。Thinkofit，washedbytherainandscorchedbythesunandsweptbythewindforthoseunnumberedages。Manonlycameintobeingyesterdaysofarasgeologicaltimesgoes。Why，then，shoulditbetakenforgrantedthatallthisstupendouspreparationwasforhisbenefit？\"
\"Forwhosethen——orforwhat？\"
Summerleeshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Howcanwetell？Forsomereasonaltogetherbeyondourconception——andmanmayhavebeenamereaccident，aby—productevolvedintheprocess。Itisasifthescumuponthesurfaceoftheoceanimaginedthattheoceanwascreatedinordertoproduceandsustainitoramouseinacathedralthoughtthatthebuildingwasitsownproperordainedresidence。\"
Ihavejotteddowntheverywordsoftheirargument，butnowitdegeneratesintoamerenoisywranglewithmuchpolysyllabicscientificjargonuponeachside。Itisnodoubtaprivilegetoheartwosuchbrainsdiscussthehighestquestions；butastheyareinperpetualdisagreement，plainfolklikeLordJohnandI
getlittlethatispositivefromtheexhibition。Theyneutralizeeachotherandweareleftastheyfoundus。Nowthehubbubhasceased，andSummerleeiscoiledupinhischair，whileChallenger，stillfingeringthescrewsofhismicroscope，iskeepingupacontinuallow，deep，inarticulategrowlliketheseaafterastorm。LordJohncomesovertome，andwelookouttogetherintothenight。
Thereisapalenewmoon——thelastmoonthathumaneyeswilleverrestupon——andthestarsaremostbrilliant。EvenintheclearplateauairofSouthAmericaIhaveneverseenthembrighter。Possiblythisethericchangehassomeeffectuponlight。ThefuneralpyreofBrightonisstillblazing，andthereisaverydistantpatchofscarletinthewesternsky，whichmaymeantroubleatArundelorChichester，possiblyevenatPortsmouth。Isitandmuseandmakeanoccasionalnote。Thereisasweetmelancholyintheair。Youthandbeautyandchivalryandlove——isthistobetheendofitall？Thestarlitearthlooksadreamlandofgentlepeace。WhowouldimagineitastheterribleGolgothastrewnwiththebodiesofthehumanrace？
Suddenly，Ifindmyselflaughing。
\"Halloa，youngfellah!\"saysLordJohn，staringatmeinsurprise。\"Wecoulddowithajokeinthesehardtimes。Whatwasit，then？\"
\"Iwasthinkingofallthegreatunsolvedquestions，\"Ianswer，\"thequestionsthatwespentsomuchlaborandthoughtover。
ThinkofAnglo—Germancompetition，forexample——orthePersianGulfthatmyoldchiefwassokeenabout。Whoeverwouldhaveguessed，whenwefumedandfrettedso，howtheyweretobeeventuallysolved？\"
Wefallintosilenceagain。Ifancythateachofusisthinkingoffriendsthathavegonebefore。Mrs。Challengerissobbingquietly，andherhusbandiswhisperingtoher。Mymindturnstoallthemostunlikelypeople，andIseeeachofthemlyingwhiteandrigidaspoorAustindoesintheyard。ThereisMcArdle，forexample，Iknowexactlywhereheis，withhisfaceuponhiswritingdeskandhishandonhisowntelephone，justasIheardhimfall。Beaumont，theeditor，too——Isupposeheislyingupontheblue—and—redTurkeycarpetwhichadornedhissanctum。Andthefellowsinthereporters’room——MacdonaandMurrayandBond。
Theyhadcertainlydiedhardatworkontheirjob，withnote—booksfullofvividimpressionsandstrangehappeningsintheirhands。Icouldjustimaginehowthisonewouldhavebeenpackedofftothedoctors，andthatothertoWestminster，andyetathirdtoSt。Paul’s。Whatgloriousrowsofhead—linestheymusthaveseenasalastvisionbeautiful，neverdestinedtomaterializeinprinter’sink!IcouldseeMacdonaamongthedoctors——\"HopeinHarleyStreet\"——Machadalwaysaweaknessforalliteration。\"InterviewwithMr。SoleyWilson。\"\"FamousSpecialistsays`Neverdespair!’\"\"OurSpecialCorrespondentfoundtheeminentscientistseatedupontheroof，whitherhehadretreatedtoavoidthecrowdofterrifiedpatientswhohadstormedhisdwelling。Withamannerwhichplainlyshowedhisappreciationoftheimmensegravityoftheoccasion，thecelebratedphysicianrefusedtoadmitthateveryavenueofhopehadbeenclosed。\"That’showMacwouldstart。ThentherewasBond；hewouldprobablydoSt。Paul’s。Hefanciedhisownliterarytouch。Myword，whatathemeforhim!\"Standinginthelittlegalleryunderthedomeandlookingdownuponthatpackedmassofdespairinghumanity，grovelingatthislastinstantbeforeaPowerwhichtheyhadsopersistentlyignored，thererosetomyearsfromtheswayingcrowdsuchalowmoanofentreatyandterror，suchashudderingcryforhelptotheUnknown，that————\"andsoforth。
Yes，itwouldbeagreatendforareporter，though，likemyself，hewoulddiewiththetreasuresstillunused。WhatwouldBondnotgive，poorchap，tosee\"J。H。B。\"atthefootofacolumnlikethat？
ButwhatdrivelIamwriting!Itisjustanattempttopassthewearytime。Mrs。Challengerhasgonetotheinnerdressing—room，andtheProfessorsaysthatsheisasleep。Heismakingnotesandconsultingbooksatthecentraltable，ascalmlyasifyearsofplacidworklaybeforehim。Hewriteswithaverynoisyquillpenwhichseemstobescreechingscornatallwhodisagreewithhim。
Summerleehasdroppedoffinhischairandgivesfromtimetotimeapeculiarlyexasperatingsnore。LordJohnliesbackwithhishandsinhispocketsandhiseyesclosed。HowpeoplecansleepundersuchconditionsismorethanIcanimagine。
Three—thirtya。m。Ihavejustwakenedwithastart。ItwasfiveminutespastelevenwhenImademylastentry。Irememberwindingupmywatchandnotingthetime。SoIhavewastedsomefivehoursofthelittlespanstilllefttous。Whowouldhavebelieveditpossible？ButIfeelverymuchfresher，andreadyformyfate——ortrytopersuademyselfthatIam。Andyet，thefitteramanis，andthehigherhistideoflife，themoremustheshrinkfromdeath。Howwiseandhowmercifulisthatprovisionofnaturebywhichhisearthlyanchorisusuallyloosenedbymanylittleimperceptibletugs，untilhisconsciousnesshasdriftedoutofitsuntenableearthlyharborintothegreatseabeyond!
Mrs。Challengerisstillinthedressingroom。Challengerhasfallenasleepinhischair。Whatapicture!Hisenormousframeleansback，hishuge，hairyhandsareclaspedacrosshiswaistcoat，andhisheadissotiltedthatIcanseenothingabovehiscollarsaveatangledbristleofluxuriantbeard。Heshakeswiththevibrationofhisownsnoring。SummerleeaddshisoccasionalhightenortoChallenger’ssonorousbass。LordJohnissleepingalso，hislongbodydoubledupsidewaysinabasket—chair。Thefirstcoldlightofdawnisjuststealingintotheroom，andeverythingisgreyandmournful。
Ilookoutatthesunrise——thatfatefulsunrisewhichwillshineuponanunpeopledworld。Thehumanraceisgone，extinguishedinaday，buttheplanetsswingroundandthetidesriseorfall，andthewindwhispers，andallnaturegoesherway，down，asitwouldseem，totheveryamoeba，withneverasignthathewhostyledhimselfthelordofcreationhadeverblessedorcursedtheuniversewithhispresence。DownintheyardliesAustinwithsprawlinglimbs，hisfaceglimmeringwhiteinthedawn，andthehosenozzlestillprojectingfromhisdeadhand。Thewholeofhumankindistypifiedinthatonehalf—ludicrousandhalf—patheticfigure，lyingsohelplessbesidethemachinewhichitusedtocontrol。
HereendthenoteswhichImadeatthetime。Henceforwardeventsweretooswiftandtoopoignanttoallowmetowrite，buttheyaretooclearlyoutlinedinmymemorythatanydetailcouldescapeme。
Somechokinessinmythroatmademelookattheoxygencylinders，andIwasstartledatwhatIsaw。Thesandsofourliveswererunningverylow。AtsomeperiodinthenightChallengerhadswitchedthetubefromthethirdtothefourthcylinder。Nowitwasclearthatthisalsowasnearlyexhausted。
Thathorriblefeelingofconstrictionwasclosinginuponme。I
ranacrossand，unscrewingthenozzle，Ichangedittoourlastsupply。EvenasIdidsomyconscienceprickedme，forIfeltthatperhapsifIhadheldmyhandallofthemmighthavepassedintheirsleep。Thethoughtwasbanished，however，bythevoiceoftheladyfromtheinnerroomcrying：——
\"George，George，Iamstifling!\"
\"Itisallright，Mrs。Challenger，\"Iansweredastheothersstartedtotheirfeet。\"Ihavejustturnedonafreshsupply。\"
EvenatsuchamomentIcouldnothelpsmilingatChallenger，whowithagreathairyfistineacheyewaslikeahuge，beardedbaby，newwakenedoutofsleep。Summerleewasshiveringlikeamanwiththeague，humanfears，asherealizedhisposition，risingforaninstantabovethestoicismofthemanofscience。
LordJohn，however，wasascoolandalertasifhehadjustbeenrousedonahuntingmorning。
\"Fifthlyandlastly，\"saidhe，glancingatthetube。\"Say，youngfellah，don’ttellmeyou’vebeenwritin’upyourimpressionsinthatpaperonyourknee。\"
\"Justafewnotestopassthetime。\"
\"Well，Idon’tbelieveanyonebutanIrishmanwouldhavedonethat。Iexpectyou’llhavetowaittilllittlebrotheramoebagetsgrownupbeforeyou’llfindareader。Hedon’tseemtotakemuchstockofthingsjustatpresent。Well，HerrProfessor，whataretheprospects？\"
Challengerwaslookingoutatthegreatdriftsofmorningmistwhichlayoverthelandscape。Hereandtherethewoodedhillsroselikeconicalislandsoutofthiswoollysea。
\"Itmightbeawindingsheet，\"saidMrs。Challenger，whohadenteredinherdressing—gown。\"There’sthatsongofyours，George，`Ringouttheold，ringinthenew。’Itwasprophetic。
Butyouareshivering，mypoordearfriends。Ihavebeenwarmunderacoverletallnight，andyoucoldinyourchairs。ButI’llsoonsetyouright。\"
Thebravelittlecreaturehurriedaway，andpresentlyweheardthesizzlingofakettle。Shewasbacksoonwithfivesteamingcupsofcocoauponatray。
\"Drinkthese，\"saidshe。\"Youwillfeelsomuchbetter。\"
Andwedid。Summerleeaskedifhemightlighthispipe，andweallhadcigarettes。Itsteadiedournerves，Ithink，butitwasamistake，foritmadeadreadfulatmosphereinthatstuffyroom。Challengerhadtoopentheventilator。
\"Howlong，Challenger？\"askedLordJohn。
\"Possiblythreehours，\"heansweredwithashrug。
\"Iusedtobefrightened，\"saidhiswife。\"ButthenearerIgettoit，theeasieritseems。Don’tyouthinkweoughttopray，George？\"
\"Youwillpray，dear，ifyouwish，\"thebigmananswered，verygently。\"Weallhaveourownwaysofpraying。Mineisacompleteacquiescenceinwhateverfatemaysendme——acheerfulacquiescence。Thehighestreligionandthehighestscienceseemtouniteonthat。\"
\"Icannottruthfullydescribemymentalattitudeasacquiescenceandfarlesscheerfulacquiescence，\"grumbledSummerleeoverhispipe。\"IsubmitbecauseIhaveto。IconfessthatIshouldhavelikedanotheryearoflifetofinishmyclassificationofthechalkfossils。\"
\"Yourunfinishedworkisasmallthing，\"saidChallengerpompously，\"whenweighedagainstthefactthatmyownMAGNUM
OPUS，`TheLadderofLife，’isstillinthefirststages。Mybrain，myreading，myexperience——infact，mywholeuniqueequipment——weretobecondensedintothatepoch—makingvolume。
Andyet，asIsay，Iacquiesce。\"
\"Iexpectwe’veallleftsomelooseendsstickin’out，\"saidLordJohn。\"Whatareyours，youngfellah？\"
\"Iwasworkingatabookofverses，\"Ianswered。
\"Well，theworldhasescapedthat，anyhow，\"saidLordJohn。
\"There’salwayscompensationsomewhereifyougropearound。\"
\"Whataboutyou？\"Iasked。
\"Well，itjustsohappensthatIwastidiedupandready。I’dpromisedMerivaletogotoTibetforasnowleopardinthespring。Butit’shardonyou，Mrs。Challenger，whenyouhavejustbuiltupthisprettyhome。\"
\"WhereGeorgeis，thereismyhome。But，oh，whatwouldInotgiveforonelastwalktogetherinthefreshmorningairuponthosebeautifuldowns!\"
Ourheartsre—echoedherwords。Thesunhadburstthroughthegauzymistswhichveiledit，andthewholebroadWealdwaswashedingoldenlight。Sittinginourdarkandpoisonousatmospherethatglorious，clean，wind—sweptcountrysideseemedaverydreamofbeauty。Mrs。Challengerheldherhandstretchedouttoitinherlonging。Wedrewupchairsandsatinasemicircleinthewindow。Theatmospherewasalreadyveryclose。
Itseemedtomethattheshadowsofdeathweredrawinginuponus——thelastofourrace。Itwaslikeaninvisiblecurtainclosingdownuponeveryside。
\"Thatcylinderisnotlastin’toowell，\"saidLordJohnwithalonggaspforbreath。
\"Theamountcontainedisvariable，\"saidChallenger，\"dependinguponthepressureandcarewithwhichithasbeenbottled。Iaminclinedtoagreewithyou，Roxton，thatthisoneisdefective。\"
\"Sowearetobecheatedoutofthelasthourofourlives，\"
Summerleeremarkedbitterly。\"Anexcellentfinalillustrationofthesordidageinwhichwehavelived。Well，Challenger，nowisyourtimeifyouwishtostudythesubjectivephenomenaofphysicaldissolution。\"
\"Sitonthestoolatmykneeandgivemeyourhand，\"saidChallengertohiswife。\"Ithink，myfriends，thatafurtherdelayinthisinsufferableatmosphereishardlyadvisable。Youwouldnotdesireit，dear，wouldyou？\"
Hiswifegavealittlegroanandsankherfaceagainsthisleg。
\"I’veseenthefolkbathin’intheSerpentineinwinter，\"saidLordJohn。\"Whentherestarein，youseeoneortwoshiverin’
onthebank，envyin’theothersthathavetakentheplunge。It’sthelastthathavetheworstofit。I’mallforaheaderandhavedonewithit。\"
\"Youwouldopenthewindowandfacetheether？\"
\"Betterbepoisonedthanstifled。\"
SummerleenoddedhisreluctantacquiescenceandheldouthisthinhandtoChallenger。
\"We’vehadourquarrelsinourtime，butthat’sallover，\"saidhe。\"Weweregoodfriendsandhadarespectforeachotherunderthesurface。Good—by!\"
\"Good—by，youngfellah!\"saidLordJohn。\"Thewindow’splasteredup。Youcan’topenit。\"
Challengerstoopedandraisedhiswife，pressinghertohisbreast，whileshethrewherarmsroundhisneck。
\"Givemethatfield—glass，Malone，\"saidhegravely。
Ihandedittohim。
\"IntothehandsofthePowerthatmadeuswerenderourselvesagain!\"heshoutedinhisvoiceofthunder，andatthewordshehurledthefield—glassthroughthewindow。
Fullinourflushedfaces，beforethelasttinkleoffallingfragmentshaddiedaway，therecamethewholesomebreathofthewind，blowingstrongandsweet。
Idon’tknowhowlongwesatinamazedsilence。Thenasinadream，IheardChallenger’svoiceoncemore。
\"Wearebackinnormalconditions，\"hecried。\"Theworldhasclearedthepoisonbelt，butwealoneofallmankindaresaved。\"
ChapterV
THEDEADWORLD
Irememberthatweallsatgaspinginourchairs，withthatsweet，wetsouth—westernbreeze，freshfromthesea，flappingthemuslincurtainsandcoolingourflushedfaces。Iwonderhowlongwesat!Noneofusafterwardscouldagreeatallonthatpoint。