It reminded me of everything I had ever read about the base bodies that are the origin of life--the deep sea lumps and protoplasm.

It seemed like the final form of matter, the most shapeless and the most shameful.

I could only tell myself, from its shudderings, that it was something at least that such a monster could be miserable.

And then it broke upon me that the bestial mountain was shaking with a lonely laughter, and the laughter was at me.

Do you ask me to forgive him that?
It is no small thing to be laughed at by something at once lower and stronger than oneself." "Surely you fellows are exaggerating wildly," cut in the clear voice of Inspector Ratcliffe.