Mr. Disturnal caught his roving eye, and nodded brightly.
‘But we’re determined to have a scientific man, or a man interested in science. The University is delighted to accept you; but you must prove your interest in science in the way that they select. Well, they’ve selected a way, and if you accept their conditions, you’ll be nominated on Saturday, which is the same thing with us as being elected.’
‘What’s the condition?’ asked Dwala.
‘That you guarantee the Missing Link Search Fund by handing in a cheque for 50,000l., the balance, if any, to be returned when the search is over. Mr. Holmes here is going out to Borneo in charge of the expedition; and a scientist or two will go with him. Do you accept?’
Dwala glanced at Lady Wyse.
‘Certainly. I’ll send you the cheque to-night.’
‘And what do you propose to do with the Missing Link when you’ve got him?’ asked Mr. Disturnal.
‘Ah!’ said the Biologist, consulting the eye of the Eminent Scientist: ‘that’s a big question.’
‘Can’t you imagine,’ said Lady Wyse, ‘what a scientist would do with a strange animal?’
‘I’d put him in a bag and drown him, by Gad!’ said the General genially.