The Beetle Hunter Chapter 1 A Strange advertisement

My name is Dr. Hamilton, and I'd like to tell you about a very strange experience
I had many years ago. I just completed my studies in medicine, but I still hadn't
started
to work. I lived in a small flat on Gower Street in London. It was on the top
floor. Although
the top floor flats were the cheapest, it was still more than I could afford. The
little
money that I had was disappearing very quickly, and I knew that I had to find a job
soon.
I didn't really want to work as a doctor, as I was more interested in science,
especially
zoology. What kind of work could I find in this field? I had very few options, and
had
resigned myself to being a medical man for the rest of my life. When an unusual
opportunity
suddenly came my way.
One Tuesday morning in October, I picked up the standard newspaper and was looking
through
the headlines to see if there was any news worth reading. I was going to put the
newspaper
aside when I noticed an advertisement at the top of the personal column. It said,
wanted
for one or two days. Qualified doctor must be physically strong, able to accept a
challenge
and deal with extreme stress, essential knowledge of entomology. Colliopterist
preferred, apply
in person at 77 Brook Street, London. Application must be made before twelve
o'clock on Tuesday
12 October. I was so intrigued that I read the advertisement over again. It was
very
strange, I concluded. Although the requirements were described clearly, I could not
see a connection
between them, and it was impossible to imagine what the job was about. And yet,
every aspect
of this job seemed to fit me exactly. Of all branches of zoology, I loved
entomology,
the study of insects. The insects that most interested me were beetles, and the
science
of these was called colliopteri. Although butterfly collectors are more common,
beetles
are far more varied, and I found them fascinating. In fact, I had spent many hours
studying beetles,
and had collected at least a hundred different varieties. As for the other
requirements of
the advertisement, I knew that my nerves were strong, and I had won the
weightlifting competition
at the hospital sports event. Clearly, I was the man for this job. Today was the
12th of
October, so I had to act fast. Ten minutes after reading the advertisement, I was
in
a taxi, on my way to Brook Street. As the taxi driver drove towards Brook Street, I
kept thinking about the advert all the way. I kept trying to guess what kind of job
needed
such a strange collection of requirements, a strong physique, ability to deal with
stress,
medical training, and a knowledge of beetles. What connection could there be
between these
various qualities? And what kind of job could we done in just one day or two? The
more I
thought about it, the less sense it made. But no matter what happened, I had
nothing
to lose. I had no money left and was ready for any adventure. If it put a few
pennies
into my pocket, a man fears to fail, only if he has to pay for his failure. But I
had
nothing to pay with. I was like a gambler with empty pockets, who is still allowed
to
try his luck with the other gamblers. The taxi arrived at 77 Brook Street, a large
impressive house. As I got out of the taxi and approached the building, a young man
came
out of the front door. He had an expression of disappointment on his face, and he
gave
me a slightly resentful glance as he passed me. I thought this was a good sign,
because
he looked to me like a rejected candidate, which meant that the job was still
available.
Of hope I went up the steps and knocked on the large door. An elegantly dressed
butler
opened the door. This was obviously the home of people of wealth and good taste.
"'Yes, sir,' said the butler, "'I came in answer to—I began—yes, sir,' was the
reply. "'Lord Lynchmere will see you in the library.'" Lord Lynchmere, I'd heard
that name before, but could not remember who he was. I followed the butler into the
library,
where a small, pleasant-looking man with grey hair was sitting behind a desk
waiting for
me. He looked me up and down with a very penetrating
glance. His eyes were filled with a quick intelligence, but also with anxiety. Then
he
smiled pleasantly, and I felt that I had passed the first test, that I had the
physical qualifications
which he desired.
"'Have you come in answer to my advertisement, my good fellow?' he asked.
"'Yes, sir,' I replied. "'Do you have the required qualifications?' I believe that
I
do. "'You look like a strong man.'
"'Yes, I believe that I'm quite strong. "'And do you enjoy a challenge?'
"'Yes, I do, sir.'
"'Have you ever been in any real danger?'
"'No, I don't think so.'
"'But you think you would be able to remain calm and cool-headed if you were?'
"'I hope so. Well, I believe that you would. I have more confidence in you because
you
don't pretend to be certain about what you would do in a position that was new to
you.
My impression is that, as far as personal qualities go, you're the man I'm looking
for. So I'd like to move on to the next point.'
"'Which is?'
"'Tell me about Beatles, Dr. Hamilton.'
I looked at him to see if he was choking, but he was leaning forward across his
desk,
and the expression in his eyes was very serious.
"'You're quiet, Dr. Hamilton. I'm afraid that you don't know anything about
Beatles,'
he cried, and his expression was filled with anxiety.
"'On the contrary, sir, it's the one scientific subject which I really do know
something about,'
I answered with great confidence.
"'I'm so happy to hear that. Please talk to me about Beatles.'
I talked. I don't believe that I said anything original about Beatles, but I tried
as best
I could to impress him with my knowledge on the subject. I began by giving him a
short
scientific account of the characteristics of the Beatles. I made sure to mention
the fact
that I had written an article called Bering Beatles which had been published in the
Journal
of Entomological Science. After that I talked in some detail about the more common
species,
including some of the Beatles in my own collection. The moment I mentioned my own
Beatles collection,
Lord Lynch may have jumped up and cried out with excitement,
"'What? You're a collector, Dr. Hamilton. You're the man for the job. I hope that
among
the population of London there must be such a man, but the difficulty is to find
him. I've
been extraordinarily fortunate in finding you.'"