Summerlee retains his scepticism, despite being delighted at making other scientific discoveries in the fields of botany and entomology: even a glimpse of a pterodactyl at a distance fails to convince him, because he believes it is some species of stork. Running the gauntlet of hostile tribes, the expedition finally reaches the lost world with the aid of indigenous guides, who are superstitiously scared of the area.
His companions are to be Professor Summerlee, and Lord John Roxton, an adventurer who helped end slavery on the Amazon the notches on his rifle showing how many slavers he killed doing so. At a tumultuous public meeting in which Challenger experiences further ridicule (most notably from a professional rival, Professor Summerlee), Malone volunteers for an expedition to verify the discoveries.
Challenger ushers him back inside and, extracting promises of confidentiality, eventually reveals he has discovered living dinosaurs in South America, following up an expedition by a now-deceased previous American explorer named Maple White. Malone earns his respect by refusing to press charges with a policeman who saw his violent ejection into the street. Seeing through the masquerade, then confirming Malone’s scientific knowledge is non-existent, Challenger erupts in anger and forcibly throws him out. On meeting the professor he is startled by his intimidating physique, but believes his ruse is succeeding. As a direct approach would be instantly rebuffed, Malone instead masquerades as an earnest student. The subject is to be his recent South American expedition which, surrounded by controversy, guarantees a hostile reaction. His task is to approach the notorious Professor Challenger, who dislikes the popular press intensely and physically assaults intrusive journalists. Edward Malone, a young reporter for the Daily Gazette, asks his editor for a dangerous assignment to impress the woman he loves, Gladys, who wishes for a great man capable of brave deeds and actions.
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