To the first two questions I answer frankly⁠—I did not dare. And this reluctance, this inhibition, every man jealous of his scientific reputation will understand. The story of Throckmartin, the happenings I had myself witnessed, were incredible, abnormal, outside the facts of all known science. I shrank from the inevitable disbelief, perhaps ridicule⁠—nay, perhaps even the graver suspicion that had caused me to seal my lips while on the ship. Why I myself could only half believe! How then could I hope to convince others?

And as for the third question⁠—I could not take men into the range of such a peril without first warning them of what they might encounter; and if I did warn them⁠—

It was checkmate! If it also was cowardice⁠—well, I have atoned for it. But I do not hold it so; my conscience is clear.