In Search of Goliathus Hercules Read Online Free

interested to learn how you began collecting seeds. Some of these are enormous. You must have traveled to some very exotic places.”
    “My dear departed husband, Dr. Black, was a great scientist—a zoologist. His specialty was bats, and the two of us traveled the world as he pursued his research. I began my collection during those trips. I accompanied him on all his expeditions.”
    “That must have been nice for him,” said Henri.
    Mrs. Black gave him a cutting look. “I should think so, but my job was not just to see to his comfort. I was his collaborator!” She stood up and walked over to the pile of books that Henri had noticed earlier. She pulled out a slim volume and passed it to Henri. In gilt upon the black cloth cover was the title, A Monograph of the Bats of South America , and in smaller type, “by Dr. Alistair Black, illustrated by Mrs. Agatha Black.”
    Henri gently opened the book to the title page, which showed bats swooping out of the jungle into the sky, a full moon illuminating their silhouettes. Leafing through the pages, Henri saw delicate, expert illustrations showing comparisons between various bats’ ears, their heads, their teeth, and their wingspans, down to their clawed feet. There were other pictures in which a bat’s belly had been sliced open to show the internal organs.
    “Agatha, you are a marvel. The detail! Really, you are quite an exceptional artist,” gushed Great Aunt Georgie with what Henri recognized was a kind of nervous intensity. How very strange. What was bothering her? The corners of Mrs. Black’s mouth turned up as she attempted what Henri supposed was a smile. He doubted that she had much practice in smiling, as it looked more like she was showing her teeth to the dentist than sincerely showing her gratitude.
    “Thank you, Georgiana. You are too kind.”
    “Did you draw these all from life?” Henri glanced down at the page, and upon seeing a bat sliced open from its neck to abdomen, rephrased his question. “I mean, from actual specimens?”
    “Of course,” Mrs. Black replied curtly. “I am a keen observer. I notice the details.“
    So fixed was her gaze upon Henri that he felt anxious. He wondered just what she was noticing about him at this very moment. Uncomfortable, Henri quickly glanced back down at the book and immediately regretted it, for upon closer examination his eyes beheld the sliced-open bat, its eyes wild with pain and fright, its heart exposed. Quickly, he shut the book and gave an involuntary shiver.
    “I watch patiently and then I learn,” said Mrs. Black with a dry chuckle.
    “Just as all good scientists do. Patience is a virtue. Curiosity is another admirable quality in an inquiring mind,” remarked Great Aunt Georgie in an anxious twitter. “Agatha, I must excuse myself and visit the powder room,” she said, putting down her teacup.
    Mrs. Black watched Great Aunt Georgie leave the room and turned her gaze back upon Henri. “What do you think, On- ree ? Is curiosity a desirable characteristic?”
    Suddenly the room seemed very hot. A bead of sweat trickled down his neck. He was sure this was a trick question. Reluctantly, he said, “I suppose that it is.”
    “Just don’t forget, curiosity killed the cat!” She gave a raspy cackle. “You know your great aunt has been such a help to me with my collection. I trust she will continue to assist me. Thanks to her, I have expanded my collection of seeds to include scientifically related areas. Perhaps you will help me too?”
    Help Mrs. Black with her collection? What a very odd request. “I wish I could help you,” Henri said politely. “But I don’t know anything about seeds.”
    “Well, perhaps you know about related fields?” Mrs. Black suggested slyly. “Such as insects?”
    Henri felt tense as he thought of his conversation with Dom the fly. Avoiding the question, Henri said, “I didn’t know that seeds and insects were related.”
    “Surely at school you studied that