The Gorilla Hunters

CHAPTER ONE.

IN WHICH THE HUNTERS ARE INTRODUCED.

It was five o'clock in the afternoon. There can be no doubt whatever as
to that. Old Agnes may say what she pleases--she has a habit of doing
so--but I know for certain (because I looked at my watch not ten minutes
before it happened) that it was exactly five o'clock in the afternoon
when I received a most singular and every way remarkable visit--a visit
which has left an indelible impression on my memory, as well it might;
for, independent of its singularity and unexpectedness, one of its
results was the series of strange adventures which are faithfully
detailed in this volume.

It happened thus:--

I was seated in an armchair in my private study in a small town on the
west coast of England. It was a splendid afternoon, and it was exactly
five o'clock. Mark that. Not that there is anything singular about the
mere fact, neither is it in any way mixed up with the thread of this
tale; but old Agnes is very obstinate--singularly positive--and I have a
special desire that she should see it in print, that I have not given in
on that point. Yes, it was five precisely, and a beautiful evening. I
was ruminating, as I frequently do, on the pleasant memories of bygone
days, especially the happy days that I spent long ago among the coral
islands of the Pacific, when a tap at the door aroused me.

"Come in."